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Therapists answer…

What is therapy like? What does a typical session with you look like?

Gayle WeillG

Gayle Weill

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Online Therapy
What does a typical session with you tend to look like?
First, we see if we are a good therapy match by discussing what you are looking for in therapy and if I am someone who specializes in what could help you. If we decide to move forward, I then get more information about your history and we collaborate on a treatment plan together to help you meet your goals. Treatment plans and goals will be different for each individual, but once we have that, then we could work on meeting those goals in sessions.
I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience in outpatient therapy and hands-on parenting training. I am trained in EMDR which is a therapeutic model for addressing and treating trauma. I have completed certification programs in Child-Parent Psychotherapy, the Circle of Security-Parenting program, hypnosis, and I have national certification as an adoption competent therapist with the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.). Working with women who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or relationship issues is my passion. My goal is to help you to feel understood and validated. I do this by listening to you very carefully, and asking questions to help us figure out what the root cause is for your distress. Once we can identify the root of the issue, we can then figure out how to help you move forward and figure out a plan for facing life’s challenges head on. Many people come to me and tell me that they don’t know where to start or how to explain what’s been going on, and that is totally okay, let the therapist worry about all of that. Let’s work together and figure it out.
Gavin ShafronG

Gavin Shafron

Clinical Psychologist
Online & In-Person
What does a typical session with you tend to look like?
The work I do is multifaceted in nature. I begin sessions with a discussion aimed at understanding who the client is and what is bringing them into therapy, whether it is about healing, empowerment, personal growth, or something else. Then I work with the client to develop a plan of action, outlining their goals, their hopes for what they want to get out of therapy as they move through the process, and where they would like to be by the end of the process. Once we agree on these important benchmarks, the next steps begin. I identify the strengths that you bring to the table. These are so important because we all bring unique skills and talents into any dynamic, and it’s important that you know how to use these to accomplish your goals. Keeping those in mind, I work with my clients to address the issues as they have come up in the past, and importantly, how they manifest in the here-in-now. This allows us to map out together, how the past informs the present, and how to approach alleviating distress. I do this by helping you become more resilient in the face of future challenges, and achieve a new sense of freedom and control over your life and well-being.
Especially for some of the most successful among us, we can hold ourselves to the highest standards of performance in all areas. Sometimes we may feel that we're supposed to have all the answers to the challenges life throws our way, even when that isn’t always possible. For so many, an achievement focus can come at the expense of other areas of our lives. I see therapy as a collaborative experience. I work with my clients to help unlock what holds them back to gain an understanding of how our histories shape our present, while building a foundation of skills in the here-in-now to promote healing and a future that is self-defined. My approach is solution-focused and uses elements of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy to identify and build on your strengths. As a Substance Abuse Specialist, I help individuals including young adults transform their relationships with substances and behaviors that feel out of control. Therapy should be a process that makes us feel free to be fully ourselves. To heal and enliven us to be authentically, beautifully, and powerfully exactly who we are, unbound by what has in the past, held us back. Let's work together to find strength, meaning, healing, and freedom so you can define your own path. It's time to be free and come alive again. Let’s do it together.
Bri JaworskiB

Bri Jaworski

Owner/ Licensed Mental Health Counselor/ Integrative Medicine Doctoral Student/ Qualified Supervisor
Online & In-Person
What does a typical session with you tend to look like?
We’ll probably spend the first few minutes just checking in. Don’t be surprised if I ask about your kids, mom or your pup.  Then we go where YOU want to go. We have a plan of goals and objectives and we tackle whatever you feel like you need support with! 
Brianna “Bri” Jaworski, MA, LMHC- QS is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. Bri graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelors degree in Business and Health with a minor in Psychology. After starting her own business at age 25, she pursued a new career in counseling in 2010. Bri received her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University in 2015. Bri is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and has spent a large portion of her career working with child victim’s of sexual abuse. Bri also worked for many years with victims of domestic violence, and their children. Bri is a certified Domestic Violence Core Competency Trainer in the state of Florida and trained all new employees and volunteers at her agency. Bri served as the Primary Prevention Advocate while teaching 7th-12th graders about healthy dating relationships and warning signs of abuse. Additionally, Bri provided group services to teens in the local shelter, taught Drug Court and Teen Court classes at the Manatee County Courthouse, Life Skills Training classes for survivors as well as parenting classes. During her clinical Internship, Bri worked for a child protection center in Sarasota, Florida which specialized in providing TF-CBT to child victims of sexual and physical abuse, neglect, and child welfare; as well as their non-offending caregivers and family members. Bri provided Individual, family and group counseling. Bri also worked with at-risk youth and adults in-home and in schools and also with sexually reactive children in the “Kid Kindness” Program. Bri continued on, working with trauma victims including: adult victims of childhood sexual abuse, depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, Bi-polar disorders, trauma, grief, and ADHD amongst many others. Bri also facilitated both teen and adult support groups as well as animal supported counseling. Bri has also worked extensively with the child welfare system including DCF contracting, and intensive in-home substance abuse counseling. Bri is an EMDRIA approved EMDR therapist. EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an empirically evidenced technique that has been shown to significantly help clients of trauma, grief, PTSD, addiction, phobias and many other issues by utilizing bi-lateral stimulation that mimics a REM sleep cycle. Disturbing events are able to be “reprocessed” thus lessening and many times diminishing negative cognitions and feelings. Bri has also worked as a Psychology professor, at a local polygraph credentialing and assessment center teaching Psychology classes as well as classes on administering polygraph assessments to convicted sex offenders. Bri has taught students from all over the globe! Opening a practice that is warm, open, comfortable and non-judgmental was imperative in the formation of Mandala Counseling Services. Bri prides herself in being able to build rapport and establish long lasting therapeutic relationships with her clients. She strives for the perfect balance of professionalism and genuine care and compassion for her clients. She loves animals, is a Reiki Master, enjoys Transcendental Meditation, traveling and of course... Batman. She cares deeply for her clients and has devoted most of her adult life to non-profit centers and helping victims of trauma.  
Michelle GordenM

Michelle Gorden

LPC
Online Therapy
What does a typical session with you tend to look like?
An initial visit with a provider involves a medical history review, physical examination, and possibly diagnostic tests to evaluate a patient's health, identify issues, and develop a treatment plan.
Hi, I'm Michelle Gorden, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I am currently training in Gottman Method for couples. I specialize in treating mood disorders, trauma, and PTSD. My background is diverse and supports my ability to help my clients reach their highest potential. Welcome to NOVA Clinical Counseling, LLC, your trusted destination for online psychotherapy. We understand that your mental well-being is of utmost importance, and we are dedicated to providing you with professional and compassionate support on your journey toward healing and personal growth. At NOVA Clinical Counseling, LLC, we prioritize a client-centered approach, meaning that we collaborate with you to create a treatment plan that suits your specific goals and aspirations. Our therapists draw from a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities, incorporating techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, psychodynamic therapy, and more. Through this integrative approach, we aim to empower you with practical tools and insights to foster lasting positive change.