20+ Years Exp - LCSW
Latonya Hamilton
20+ Years Exp
20+ Years Exp
Latonya Hamilton
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience. I hold a Master's degree from Georgia State University and am dedicated to providing a therapeutic approach that is holistic, strengths-based, and collaborative. I began my career working as a Medical Social Worker at Grady Hospital and Atlanta Medical Center and have also provided counseling to young teen mothers at West End Medical Center. I have also worked in the bustling ED as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. I’ve counseled individuals and families, providing them with the support they need to move towards a healthy path in life.
I once worked with a client who struggled with depression, anxiety, and self esteem issues. When she initially started with me, she hated getting out of the bed. After 6 months, she was joyfully getting out of bed, viewing herself in a more positive manner, and setting boundaries with people in her life, for which she had always struggled to do. During the final session, she said to me that she felt more “Peace and happiness” in her life.
Though every client’s situation is unique, I generally approach the counseling process from a Psychodynamic framework to help my clients understand their underlying, subconscious motivations for their actions, both positive and negative. For depression and/or trauma, I work with you for 4 to 6 months with cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma focused therapy. Most patients see gradual lifting of symptoms within a few weeks & consistent improvement thereafter. I walk alongside you in this journey to assist in healing from trauma, building self-worth, improving communication in your relationships, and reaching your goals.
In our first session, you can expect quite a few questions in order to determine what brought you to therapy and to help formulate ideas of how to best help you. You should also expect to speak about any policies and discuss the importance of patient confidentiality. I want to establish a general idea of what you need from this therapy.and to learn what goals you want to accomplish in therapy. I simply ask that you be open and share what your thoughts are in the session. And by all means...please feel free to ask questions. This is a collaborative process of healing and growth.
I believe that I was "called" to this field at a young age. I've always possessed a strong desire to advocate and uplift people.I want to help clients understand how much every thought they think and every word they speak, matters. Their thoughts and words shape their life experiences. Counseling provides me with the opportunity to do this and help them through the difficult times in their lives. Being trusted with that mission is both rewarding and meaningful.
Highlights
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My therapeutic approach is a collaborative one, in that you and I will work together to determine your best treatment. I take a holistic view of the issues affecting your life and let you be the expert of your own experiences. I believe compassion, understanding, and the therapeutic relationship are valuable as the framework within which change will occur. Some techniques likely to be utilized are dialogue, interpretation, cognitive reframing, awareness and self-monitoring exercises, relaxation techniques, mindfulness work, and journal writing.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I utilize a multidimensional approach that is catered to each individual's biological, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. Some techniques likely to be utilized are dialogue, interpretation, cognitive reframing, awareness and self-monitoring exercises, relaxation techniques, mindfulness work, and journal writing.I utilize a multidimensional approach that is catered to each individual's biological, psychological, social, and/or spiritual needs, while utilizing a myriad of treatment models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Client-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have worked with toddlers, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations in individual therapy and family therapy. I have also worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, substance use, addiction, trauma, social anxiety, postpartum depression, and mood disorders. Though, I specialize in persons experiencing anxiety, depression, or having to address traumatic experiences either from childhood or from the present.
Specialities