21+ Years Exp - LCSW
Danielle Matish
21+ Years Exp
LCSW
27 specialities
Accepts insurance
Telehealth appointments throughout
Call us for details on 21+ Years Exp
LCSW27 specialitiesAccepts insurance
Danielle Matish
I absolutely love to laugh and find the humor in even the most difficult of circumstances. My favorite part of the work that I do is seeing people experience those moments of clarity and growth that lead them to where they want to be; watching them realize their potential and self-worth. I have been supporting people in working through their challenges with mental health and life experiences for over twenty years and find it so important to continue to learn and grow myself. I believe therapy can serve vastly different purposes depending on the individual, but the most important factor regardless is having a safe place to be authentically oneself in all your messy, wonderful glory. I believe we all have and can develop the skills and tools necessary to live our best lives. My approach is one of both providing concrete, actionable skills to practice, while working to shift the thought patterns that sometimes keep us feeling stuck.
I was working with a client struggling with comparing herself to others and feeling like she is always behind where she "should" be at this point in her life. We spent a lot of time identifying her inherent worth aside from worth based on external factors, and challenging automatic unhelpful thoughts. She shared that she recently found herself comparing herself to a close friend a few years older. She was delighted to share that she realized that everything we have been working on has led her to a point where she finally felt content, confident, and "exactly where [she] should be."
Generally, clients can expect each session to consist of a brief check-in on how things have been between sessions including any challenges, successes, or realizations. I always plan time to ensure we are focusing on both what the client identifies wanting to focus on, and guiding discussions that continue to build on our work thus far. Often, I am able to incorporate my plan/skills focus into the client's identified topic for the session. Periodically, I do a progress check exploring how the client believes they are doing, where they continue to struggle, and sharing my observations on the same. I do love to laugh and use humor where appropriate, so sessions can also be fun.
The first session always includes an exploration of what brings the client to services, what their prior experiences in therapy have been like, and what their expectations are from a therapist. I explore their preferred communication atmosphere and talk to them about confidentiality and that the therapeutic process is about them, so if they feel like we are not connecting the way they need, I encourage them to talk to me about it so we can either try to address the need or find a better fit so they can achieve their goals.
There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a person peel back the layers of gray and confusion they've been feeling and begin to realize their worth and potential. I love seeing the light come back.
Highlights
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Clients can expect a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where they can develop a comfort level in discussing their personal challenges and needs no matter what they are. I personalize my approach based on what the client needs. If I have a client who thrives on having tangible homework assignments between sessions, then I'll ensure that they have those. If a client prefers just walking away with things to reflect upon or skills to practice between sessions, that's great too. I am a BIG fan of the use of humor as we navigate the "hard stuff," but in a way that still shows respect to the person and topic at hand. One of the main thinks a client can expect to take away from sessions with me is the knowledge that they are whole and worthy even when facing challenges.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I utilize evidence-based therapies, including Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy & Play Therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I think my biggest strength is cultivating a safe, relaxed environment in our sessions. I also listen to understand and respond accordingly. Thoughts and feelings can sometimes be a tangled mess, especially when we're experiencing challenges. My strength lies in working to support clients in untangling and reorganizing their thoughts and feelings in a way that helps them improve their quality of life and functioning. I have a vast array of experiences professionally and personally that help me connect with clients from various backgrounds. I am also optimistic and work to instill hope.
Specialities
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