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Therapists answer…

For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?

Miriam BagalwaM

Miriam Bagalwa

Dr. Miriam Bagalwa, DNP, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
Therapy is a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can express yourself and work through challenges. It’s a step toward understanding your emotions and finding solutions tailored to your needs. I’m here to guide you with compassion and respect, empowering you to achieve emotional well-being.
Hello, I’m Dr. Miriam Bagalwa, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing practice. I specialize in mental health, including geriatric psychiatry, depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, and OCD. Over the past 10 years, I’ve helped individuals improve their mental health through holistic, evidence-based approaches. My practice is built on compassion and respect for each person’s journey. I focus on treating the whole individual, considering both mental and physical health to develop personalized care plans. Whether you’re seeking support for a specific concern or navigating life’s challenges, I’m here to guide you in a safe, nonjudgmental space. Together, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, empowering you to take charge of your mental health and achieve emotional well-being. Let’s work collaboratively to help you live your best life. Treatment philosophy: I believe in treating patients as whole individuals, prioritizing their unique needs and circumstances. My approach is compassionate, patient-centered, and focused on fostering trust and open communication. With expertise in cardiology, mental health, and chronic disease management, I combine evidence-based practices with lifestyle modifications to empower patients to achieve their health goals and improve their overall quality of life.
Pamela Joy AbaoP

Pamela Joy Abao

Pamela Joy Abao, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
Therapy is a safe space to explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment. It's a step toward healing, self-discovery, and achieving a better quality of life. You don’t have to face challenges alone—let’s work together toward your goals.
Hello, I’m Pamela Joy R. Abao, M.S.N, PMHNP-BC, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Chula Vista, CA, with over 13 years of dedicated experience in the field of mental health care. My career has been centered on delivering compassionate, patient-focused care to individuals and families across diverse clinical settings, including outpatient services, telepsychiatry, and chemical dependency clinics. Mental health is a deeply personal journey, and I am committed to walking alongside my patients every step of the way. I focus on creating individualized treatment plans that empower patients to take an active role in their mental health journey. My approach combines evidence-based practices with compassionate care, ensuring that every individual’s unique needs are addressed. Collaboration is at the heart of my practice. By engaging in meaningful conversations and working closely with patients and their families, I aim to foster trust and understanding. My goal is to not only treat mental health conditions but to equip individuals with the tools and knowledge to navigate their challenges independently. With a passion for continuous learning and staying updated in the ever-evolving field of psychiatry, I am dedicated to providing the highest standard of care. Together, we can achieve better mental health and improved quality of life for all ages and backgrounds. Treatment philosophy: I believe in a compassionate, collaborative approach to mental health care that prioritizes the unique needs of every individual. My treatment philosophy is rooted in empowering patients through meaningful conversations and personalized care plans. By involving patients and their families in the healing process, I promote trust, independence, and understanding. My focus on evidence-based practices ensures effective, holistic care tailored to each person’s mental health journey. Together, we work towards achieving lasting well-being.
Nikki SchusterN

Nikki Schuster

Mental Health Therapist, LSW
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, I wish I could tell them that the only way to see change in any given situation is to try something you have never done before. There are all kinds of different therapists and modalities out there and your sessions can look however you want them to. Therapists are not just, "listening to you complain because they are paid to," but rather, we care deeply about you as an individual and want to see you succeed in living the best life you can. Therapy can be very intimidating and it isn't always fun, but it can make a big difference if you open yourself up to the possibility. Therapy is not a "one size fits all" cure, but if you are willing to put in the work, it can be an extra tool in your toolbox. Even if therapy doesn't show you the progress you want, at least you would be able to look back a year from now and know that you tried.
Hello! My name is Nikki Schuster, and I am a Licensed Social Worker providing Telehealth therapy services to private pay clients located in Colorado. I have a Master's of Social Work degree from MSU Denver, and I am passionate about meeting my clients where they are at, highlighting their strengths, and collaborating to achieve any goals they may have. I utilized a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, based on each individual client's goals and needs. I specialize in family conflict, anxiety, and grief, and can also assist with depression, addiction, trauma, and chronic illness. I provide both individual ($110 per session) and couples ($125) therapy, and having a sliding scale available for those who need it. I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a woman with a disability, and I pride myself on being a safe space for other marginalized individuals. Outside of work, I love to travel and create art.
Mary BaummierM

Mary Baummier

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Online & In-Person
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
For those hesitant to try therapy, I wish you could see how transformative it can be. Therapy is a safe space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It’s not just about talking; it’s about developing strategies and skills to overcome challenges and improve your quality of life. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone, and taking that first step can be the beginning of a brighter, healthier future.
Hello! I'm Mary McEachern Baummier, a compassionate and dedicated Mental Health Counselor licensed in both Florida (MH 15189) and Texas (86727). My mission is to guide you on a path to wellness and resilience. With 10 years of experience as a therapist, I've honed my expertise in creating personalized treatment plans that cater to your unique needs. I believe in the power of therapy to transform lives, which is why I specialize in evidence-based approaches like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These methods are proven to help individuals work through challenges and find balance. My commitment extends beyond therapy sessions—I've also mentored a team of therapists, ensuring that the care you receive is built on a foundation of knowledge and empathy. Whether you're navigating difficult life events or seeking support for mental health concerns, I'm here to assess your situation with care and offer the level of attention you deserve. Your journey to better mental health is important. Let's take that first step as we work together in our appointments. Your well-being is my top priority, and we can work towards a brighter, healthier future.
Stefanie LawsonS

Stefanie Lawson

Psychotherapist
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
“Every journey begins with a single step.” In many cases, the most difficult part of trying something new is building up the courage to step outside of your comfort zone in order to do something that is “different.” This can be extremely scary! My best advice to you is to try to take that initial, first step! This can be picking up the phone to call, or even scheduling a 15 minute consultation on my calendar that can be found in the website link! Try it! Best case scenario is you will find that therapy is beneficial! Worse case scenario is you may find that therapy, or therapy with a therapist who may not have been a good fit, was not right for you. At least you tried it! It’s the job of the therapist to identify when they may not be a good fit for you, and provide you with support in connecting with another therapist who is a good fit!
Have you struggled with loving and accepting your body? Have negative thoughts and insecurities about your body caused you to experience depression, anxiety or affected your self-esteem? Have you used food as a means of managing negative feelings and emotions that have been spiraling out of control? The sad truth is that we live in a world where society’s unrealistic beauty standards that are rooted in patriarchy, toxic diet culture, traditional media, and negative social media images and messaging constantly tell us we’re not good enough, we’re not thin enough, we’re not curvy enough, we’re not beautiful or desirable enough. My name is Stefanie Lawson! I'm a licensed therapist in NC who helps clients to regain control over their relationship with food, body and inner-self while following the Health at Every Size model! I have over 7 years of clinical experience, as well as a personal understanding of what it's like to recover from disordered eating and make peace with my body. I know that seeking therapy can feel scary and finding the right therapist who is a good fit for you can be challenging and exhausting! Contact me to schedule your free, 15 minute consultation where we can decide how I can best help you! Need to schedule a consultation right away? Visit my calendar where you can "self schedule" a free telephone consultation!
Marcy LuskM

Marcy Lusk

Bilingual Psychologist
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
It's okay to feel confused about how therapy could help you or the benefit of it. You don't need complete clarity of what you want to get from therapy or what you are experiencing. We can work together to clarify your needs, goals, and ways I can help you. We will work collaboratively at your pace to reach your treatment goals.
Are you experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship, parenting, or family concerns? Let's explore the barriers, challenges, or stressors that impact your ability to succeed together. I will provide knowledge, support and empower you to grow and succeed. I have experience working with individuals, families, and couples. When addressing parenting, couples, or family concerns, the goal is to improve communication, identify barriers that affect the relationship, (re) define connectedness, explore boundaries, and understand oneself within the relationship. My approach to therapy centers around Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Family Systems. However, I adapt to your unique needs depending on your concerns and treatment goals by taking a flexible and multifaceted approach to your treatment. I will provide you a safe environment to explore emotions and patterns that can help improve your mental health. My professional interest include working with individual, families, and couples across cultural, sexual, and gender identities. Some of the identities that influence my therapy style are being a bilingual Latina woman from immigrant parents who is part of a big family married with a child. I offer treatment in Spanish, English, or Spanglish.