Alicia Polk (she/her)

Grief and loss come in many shapes, from the death of a loved one, to the loss of a job, a relationship, or physical abilities. Many people are experiencing a loss but don't recognize it as such until we begin to talk about it. I am a certified grief counselor in addition to being board certified in general counseling. No two grief journeys are identical although there are landmarks that can provide some guidance along the way. I will be honored to walk with and support you on your journey.

Did you know that research shows therapy for chronic pain is as effective as painkillers? You can have much more influence over your pain than you'd imagine and you can get back to living a full life. Like pain medications, therapy works on the physical body but it also addresses two areas that medications don't. Whether you are dealing with chronic pain or chronic illness, you and I will work together to find solutions so you can focus on living a vibrant, satisfying life.

Has your bed become the enemy? Is it hard to fall asleep because of all the thoughts racing through your head when you lie down? CBT-I therapy for insomnia is a highly effective and short-term treatment (5-8 sessions on average) for insomnia. It can help you sleep again even if you've struggled with insomnia for 50 years. I love this therapy because it's so quick and effective that my people can't believe their results. I can also help you put an end to nightmares in 2-3 sessions.

Person-centered therapy is non-directive. I won't take charge and tell you what you should do. Instead, I will ask gentle questions and listen carefully to your answers, reflect back what I hear, share my observations, and help you to find the answers that are already inside you. In this type of therapy, you are the expert in you. Additionally, I practice Compassion-Focused Therapy which was not an option for me to indicate. CFT can help you change your relationship with your inner critic.

CBT is a very effective therapy for many issues. It's a partnership between you and I and focuses on both the ways you act and belief you have which might may be unhelpful to you. For example, If we change a particular way of thinking (or acting), we can change our emotions and actions (or thinking). Sometimes we have assumptions (like the belief "I am unlovable") that can affect our lives without even being aware of it. When we can see the lies in those beliefs, our lives can completely change.

I'm a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (level 2) and I've been working with Dissociative Identity Disorder for 5 years. Before trauma work is done, we first focus on stabilizing your system and equipping you with skills and techniques to improve regulation and decrease the chaos. I'm trauma-informed and non-confrontational in my approach. See the video at my website for more information about DID.

When working with DID, I utilize trauma-informed and attachment-based treatment based on the structural dissociation model. The first focus is stabilization and improved system communication. CPT is an evidence-based treatment that is highly effective and has 30 years of use and studies behind it. This treatment is utilized for PTSD, does not require the person to disclose lots of details about their trauma, and is completed in about 12 sessions.

In addition to be certified in treating autism, half of my family is autistic, so I have both clinical and lived experience with it. Autism isn't a disorder; it's a neurological difference. I will help you identify skills and techniques that can help you navigate through a neurotypical world and we'll have a strengths-based mindset. You can use communication apps or chat or text in session if this is helpful to you. See my website for videos with more information.

I'm certified in working with ADHD and I also have ADHD, so I bring lived experience and clinical knowledge to this issue. I will work with you to develop skills and techniques to address your challenges. I'll help you understand how your brain is structured differently and works differently. And we might want to work on some of the perfectionism and harsh self-talk that often comes with ADHD. See my website for videos with more information on my approach.