Latoya Spady

I work with adults and adolescents dealing with trauma, depression, and substance use, and those three are often more connected than they look from the outside. You don't need a clear explanation of what's wrong before you reach out; most people start with little more than a sense that something is off, or that they've been managing on their own for too long. I'm patient and fairly direct, and I keep a sense of humor in the room. Clients usually tell me they don't feel rushed or judged with me, which matters more to the work than any single technique.

I'll tell you what I'm noticing and why we're working on it. We look at the patterns underneath what's going on now, including ones that started in your family long before you had a say in them, and then work on doing something different in steps that are actually manageable. I use CBT and trauma-focused CBT for the practical side, motivational interviewing when you're weighing a change you haven't committed to yet, and mindfulness when the goal is getting through the week. I won't push you toward change you haven't decided you want. You set the direction and the pace; I bring the structure and stay consistent.

The first session is mostly about whether this feels like a fit for you. I'll ask what brought you in and what you're hoping changes, and you can answer in whatever order makes sense; you're not obligated to go deep on day one. Near the end we'll talk about what working together would look like, including how often we'd meet and what we'd focus on first.