Mimi Koontz

As a social worker who specializes in mental health, I truly believe that prioritizing one's mental health is an important as one's physical health.

I do not believe that you can use the "one size fits all" with people - so I do want to know that w/ me, you are an individual vs just a "diagnosis". Everyone has their story and I truly want to hear yours. I believe that people want to have better quality of their lives, but don't we all? My overall approach to therapy is non judgmental, warm, collaborative and direct. I want to be a member on your journey, you're the driver and I want you to learn how much resilience and strength that you do have to make changes in your life that will empower you w/ tools/skills that you can use for the rest of your life.

As I have told several people: I will not ever promise that you won't have to deal w/ anxiety, depression, grief, sadness, frustration, or anger again - however I will promise you that you will be equipped w/ the skills to deal w/ any of life's issues, stressors, unexpected twists of life, much better and w/ much less fear, avoidance and denial. When you have learned skills that work for you, you will become more confident in being able to handle things that life throws at you. You become less fearful, less avoidant and less anxious about your life. I truly am joyful when someone tells me that they realize that they can't "cure" their anxiety or depression or.... but they aren't "paralyzed, stuck or avoidant and fearful" anymore about the possibility of being faced w/ it in the future and feel confident that they now have the skills to cope and manage w/ these things so much better in their life and in their future.

Our initial session will where you tell me what's going on with you, who you are, what's going well, what's not and where you'd like to see changes and/or growth and what you would like to manage better and/or what seems to be interfering most in your life.

I will try to provide an environment where you feel safe to be yourself, where you aren't feeling judged, so you can safely share and can feel secure in our work and our collaboration together. I do believe that people do the best that they can in the circumstances they are in and that anyone can learn skills to better manage their current and future issues.

I want you to look at your therapy as investment in yourself, your wellbeing and commit the time/energy and be willing to do hard and at times uncomfortable work in order to learn an easier, more positive way to do your life!