Madison Housden

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I believe in understanding my clients from a holistic, person-in-environment perspective. This means that together we can explore the multifaceted challenges you face, and recognize the interplay of internal struggles, your mind-body connection, family systems, intersecting identities, or experiences with systems of oppression. I strive to create a safe, affirming, and non-judgmental space for all my clients on their journey towards healing and resilience.

The foundation of our therapeutic work together is your sense of safety, as I approach all of my clients with a trauma-informed lens. We’ll build this safety three ways: a strong client-therapist relationship, gathering your existing resources, and developing new coping skills. I understand that sometimes you need relief now. In my approach we can begin to put out the fire (providing relief and support) before exploring exactly how the fire started—so you can feel more grounded and ready for deeper work. I believe lasting healing requires a solid foundation. I also have learnt that humor, creativity, and joy are essential components of building resilience. I welcome you to use expressive arts, movement, and fidgets to help you process during our sessions.

I'm guided by the 5 Principles of Trauma-Informed Care: Safety, Choice, Collaboration, Trustworthiness, and Empowerment. I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches, including strengths-based therapy, psychoeducation, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills training, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I'll tailor my approach to your individual needs and preferences, drawing from these modalities to create a personalized treatment plan.

In our first session, we'll focus on getting to know each other, discussing expectations for therapy, and collaboratively setting initial goals. You'll have opportunities to ask questions and share what's on your mind, and I'll also ask questions to help guide our work together. I believe in demystifying the therapeutic process, so I'll provide education about mental health treatment as needed.

While our initial sessions may have a more structured format, we'll naturally transition to a more personalized approach. I’ll encourage you to show up in a way that feels comfortable and authentic to you. A typical session might include a check-in, collaborative agenda setting, emotional processing, and practicing actionable skills. Some days we may deviate from all of that entirely – that's perfectly okay too! Ultimately, in sessions we’ll collaborate to create a safe and supportive space for you to explore your experience, without any expectations or "should"s.