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

A typical session with me begins with a check in and usually me asking how our time together would be best spent. While I might have a plan in mind, it is always more important that topics addressed in sessions are the topics that are important to the client.

As a teacher of Deaf/HoH students, I was often frustrated with attempts at finding mental health providers who could communicate with my students in their preferred language. Throughout my years as a mother and teacher, the importance of addressing mental health early and effectively became painfully apparent. In my quest to find ways to support my children and my students, I found a new passion. Returning to graduate school was a scary endeavor, but one I am so glad I chose. Now I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, able to provide mental health counseling services to hearing people and Deaf/HoH people in whichever mode of communication they prefer. It is my honor to be invited into the lives of my clients and walk with them through their mental health journeys.

A typical session with me, will be very warmly and genuine. The client will be supported, judgement free, humor, fun, positive and cheerful. 

My name is Sandy Baker. I am a licensed mental health counselor. In 2018, I obtained my Master of  Science in Education and my Certificate of Advanced Study in Mental health counseling degree at Alfred University, NY.  Empowering my clients is my primary goal as a practitioner in the mental health field. I work with children and adults of diverse backgrounds and genders to explore emotions, navigate challenges to create a positive fulfilling life. 

A typical session usually begins with a 5 minute check in, followed by focused work on agreed upon topics that further my client's overall goals and cooperative discussion about activities or interventions that can be used outside of session to increase progress.

Life can be tough and there is so much that isn't under our control. Getting overwhelmed with emotions or self-critical thoughts only adds unnecessary suffering and therapy can help. I utilize a collaborative person-centered perspective that recognizes your expertise in your life. My practice is based upon use of mindfulness, narrative, cognitive and behavioral techniques to improve function in daily life. All of the work that I do is rooted in empathy and I am passionate about assisting clients through work, home and family stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, disability, grief and other life transitions.

Overall, the first session is a structured assessment that helps me get to know you and the challenges that brought you into treatment. Then, I’ll invite you to share more about yourself, and we can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past.

Hi, I'm Sonseray Luster. I am an authentic, committed, empathetic therapist whose compassion is working with those experiencing extreme sadness, excessive worry, and overwhelmedness. I can help you discover more about yourself and learn coping strategies to empower you and promote positive life changes. Leaving you feeling hopeful and like your authentic self again. What makes me different: I listen carefully and compassionately. I make almost anyone feel at ease. People tell me that they can let their guard down around me.

I will tell you that our first session is about building a connection between the three of us and coming up with a structure plan and setting a goal post for future sessions and leaving them with homework and a feeling of accomplishment and peace that everything is going to work out 

Hello I am very excited to be your guide on you and your partners journey of reconnecting and falling in love again.  I am a licensed professional and have a large success rate and can’t wait to hear from you soon!

I see this work as us walking side by side, with you gradually taking the lead with me supportively in your corner. If you have something pressing you wish to discuss in session, that will always take precedence. My job is ultimately to actively listen and hold space. With that said, if that's all I was doing, you'd inevitably say, "Robby, you're a nice guy. But I don't know how much we're actually getting done." To that end, I feel it's far more important to determine HOW you think rather than WHAT you think. So it tends to be important for us to explore unconscious limiting beliefs and emotions along with the conscious. You can also expect to learn clear and concise action steps (ranging from mindfulness exercises to creative writing prompts to holistic practices like meditation and breathwork) to help you regulate your emotions and reclaim your narrative.

I feel that clients shouldn't have to be in therapy forever! While co-creating this process with you, I strive to balance my active listening with imparting active, hands-on techniques to help you reclaim your narrative and overcome obstacles in your path. I feel it's about more water rather than less soda, so to speak, and take both a clinical and holistic approach to helping you enhance alignment and experience deeper fulfillment in your journey. Along with my LCSW, I am trained in EMDR, certified in Theta Healing, Reiki, Transformational Life Coaching, and Therapeutic Touch, and Master Practitioner certified in Neuro Linguistic Programming, Hypnotherapy, and Time Line Therapy.

A typical session with me begins with first checking in with my client to assess how they are doing emotionally. It is important for me to know the challenges they have been facing prior to meeting with me that day. If it's a returning client, I tend to set aside our agenda for that day so I can be informed of what has changed since we last met. I believe this approach allows the client to feel not only seen, but also heard and cared for. Feedback received from clients also let me know that this method is working as it provides the space for them to focus on what is important to them that day, not the treatment planning or home work given last session. Depending on the nature of feedback provided, we now move forward to the day's agenda if time allows, otherwise it becomes a topic for another day.

My goal as your therapist is to guide you to identify your inner strengths during the therapeutic relationship. I specialize in everyday life problems, mood disorders, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, addiction and adjustment issues. I have experience working with people from all walks of life, and assisting individual clients, couples and families experiencing relationship issues. I currently provide individual therapy services to clients experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health, substance abuse, and PTSD utilizing a client centered, solution focused approach to assist clients in therapy.

Obtaining history and information, establishing goals, learning healthy coping strategies.

​  My clinical experience includes working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I have worked in various settings such is psychiatric inpatient, residential centers, community mental health centers, and private practice. I graduated from Loyola University in 2009. I specialize in working with Eating Disorders and Sexual Trauma.  My approaches include; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed, and Gottman Method. I believe that creating a safe and non-judgmental environment is essential in order for healing to take place. It is important that clients have the freedom of self-expression and are not rushed through the therapeutic process. Working collaboratively, we will identify a framework that is validating and promotes growth. My approach is honest, empathetic, and relational in order to help clients gain self-awareness. By focusing on clients’ strengths and values, I help them learn healthy ways to overcome challenges and empower them to make positive changes in their lives.

I strive to promote self-healing abilities and potential, strengthening and developing your support systems, including the people, resources, habits, rituals and environments in your life. While we share so many similarities as human beings, we are also each so different, which is why we will get to know what makes you unique and help you discover your own authentic answers.

I help people to step into their fullest, most empowered lives - with wholeness, presence, purpose and peace. I work with adult individuals from all walks of life to support their journeys of healing, realizing greater potential, expressing themselves more fully, loving themselves more deeply, and breaking through their limiting beliefs and harmful patterns. I’m committed to creating a welcoming environment that’s diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist.