July 22,  August 5, 12, 19 and 26, and September 2 and 9.

The  Mindfulness skill module is scheduled for the fall and the Emotion Regulation module will begin again in the winter, followed by Distress Tolerance again in the spring.  For more information and placement on the waiting list, call Delta at 910-343-6890.

August 11, 18, 25, September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6 and 13.

The next module for the Wednesday, Distress Tolerance is planned for November 3, 2010 start date. The  Mindfulness module si planned for winter, followed by Interpersonal Effectiveness in the spring.  Watch the website for updates.   Other groups are also meeting – see other posts in Delta’s website.  Interested persons call Delta at 343-6890 to set up an intake appointment and be placed on the waiting list.

August 16, 23, 30, September 13, 20, and 27.

The next module, Distress Tolerance skills,  will start in October. The  Emotion regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness modules are planned for winter and spring.  Watch the website for updates.   Other groups are also meeting – see other posts in Delta’s website.  Interested persons call Delta at 343-6890 to set up an intake appointment and be placed on the waiting list.

Who I am as a therapist is significantly influenced by the simple idea that we are products of our relationships with other people, that one of the most powerful forces is that of human connection. I started my career as a human rights educator, using my excitement for people’s capacity for change. Intrigued by others’ life stories and directed by my belief that we are our own best experts, I attended graduate school in clinical social work at the University of Georgia and began practicing therapy in 2003 with Family Counseling Services in Athens, Georgia. After moving to Wilmington, I worked with families through Intensive In-home Services and later joined Coastal Horizons Center to provide outpatient substance abuse treatment to individuals and groups.

I enjoy working with adults and families who are looking for support in clarifying and expanding their life paths and life stories. Most of my work has focused on being with others recovering from trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, substance use, and chronic health issues. The approaches to therapy that inspire me most are narrative and solution-focused perspectives; I also employ psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical behavioral (DBT) approaches. My experience as a licensed massage therapist since 2000 informs my practice by enhancing perspectives in therapy that integrate the whole person: body, mind, and environment. Guided by a drive for collaboration and principles of self-determination, I join with others in an exploration of our greatest adventure: discovering ourselves.

My primary approach in therapy is Cognitive Behavioral while using the foundation of a therapeutic relationship. I work with individuals who are dealing with adjustment issues, depression, anxiety disorders including panic disorder, phobias and PTSD, as well as impulse control issues like OCD and trichotillomania. I also work well with pre-adolescent to adolescents with conduct disorder and oppositional defiance disorder using a combination of individual and family therapy depending on the need.

A New Englander by birth, I have been a resident of New Hanover County for 18 years. I returned to Massachusetts for graduate school and obtained my master’s degree in Social Work from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts in 2006. While in graduate school I had the good fortune to gain a variety of clinical social work experience, here in Wilmington, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Family Services – Alice Sisson Counseling Center and here at Delta.

By my nature, personal background and training I embrace the social work code which honors the inherent dignity and worth of each individual. My areas of interest include issues of race, gender, spirituality and overall health and well being. My experience includes elementary school social work and domestic violence advocacy, as well as experience with individuals, elders, groups, children, couples, families, and grief work.

At Delta Behavioral Health I currently help run the Partial Hospital Program; the Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program; and I run Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) groups; as well as do some individual work. In our programs, we help many people develop a life worth living. Whether we are dealing with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse or just learning to deal effectively with the daily stressors of life, we can help.

I also teach psychology courses and do research at UNCW and I work part time at Wilmington Health Access for Teens (W.H.A.T) as a statistician. Some other programs at WHAT that I have been involved in; include a male responsibility program (WISE Guys) and a tobacco prevention program for public schools in North Carolina (TRU campaign).

I would say in my free time, I train aikido. But, who really has “free” time. I currently hold the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) and am the founder and faculty advisor to the UNCW aikido club. Along with my training I have traveled throughout the country to train and teach aikido based self-defense seminars. Recently, along with my aikido training, I have become interested in looking into and researching factors involving mindfulness.