Hello! First of all, good for you for advocating for yourself and seeking out a therapist. Whether or not we end up working together, my hope is that you will find a safe space to explore what is going on inside of you. I firmly believe that my clients have the tools needed to grow and change. They are the experts on their lives. But even experts get stuck. Maybe you are reading this thinking, “I am not an expert at all. I barely know myself.” Or maybe you are wondering, “What even IS therapy? And how can it help me?” Let me share a little bit about the types of clients I see and what we do in therapy.
I see clients of all ages for a variety of reasons, but especially enjoy reducing anxiety, navigating life-transitions, battling inner perfectionism, building self-esteem, and processing grief. I have a special interest in perinatal clients experiencing symptoms of postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, and postpartum depression. Despite the blessing of a new life, parents can be left with feelings of inadequacy, exhaustion, incompetency, depression, fear, and shame for even having those feelings. Prioritizing mental health is the best gift new parents can give to their baby.
I also enjoy couples’ therapy and specifically helping partners better understand each other, communicate more effectively, and develop meaningful relationships. I value premarital therapy and am a certified facilitator of Prepare Enrich, a premarital assessment tool that uses evidenced based skills to foster healthy relationships in 8-10 sessions. These sessions are tailored to each couple’s designated areas of growth such as: communication, conflict resolution, sexuality and affection, relationship roles, family and friends, parenting, and stress management.
I am open to integrating clients’ faith into the therapeutic process upon their request. I identify as a Christian and believe we are all spiritual beings. Spirituality is a vital part of life, and what that means to everyone is different. I approach my clients’ beliefs, culture, and customs from a place of curiosity and respect.
Prior to becoming a therapist, I received my Bachelor’s degree in English from Washington and Lee University in 2001 and hold a Masters’ degree from Mercer University’s School of Medicine. I currently work under direct supervision of Erika Pluhar, PhD, Eds, LMFT, LPC, CST-S.
Personally, I have been married for almost twenty years and have four children. I understand the balancing act of juggling a career, a marriage, children, friends, and family. Adulting is a joy and at the same time the hardest job I have felt underqualified to perform. I value the wisdom I have acquired though both lived and clinical experience.
Therapeutic Approach
I most commonly use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help individuals and couples externalize their emotions and make sense of their patterns of interaction. But what does that mean? Well, emotions motivate us to act. Our actions can be healthy or unhealthy. We can behave in healthy and congruent ways or we can behave in protective and defensive ways. When we are stressed, insecure, or traumatized, we act in unhealthy ways in order to survive and cope. Learning to accept our emotions teaches us that our emotions are not “bad” or “wrong.” Instead, when we accept them, we begin to understand our patterns of behavior. As we together uncover the patterns of behavior and negative cycle of interaction, we can understand alternative and healthier ways to respond. Change happens through those corrective emotional experiences in the therapy room first. Over time and as clients develop the muscles of acceptance, they are able to make changes outside of the therapy room. This change is a beautiful thing to witness!
I also use Richard Schwartz’s model, Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients externalize the different parts within themselves. As we understand and accept our parts, our “Core Self” becomes the driving force of our decisions and behaviors. Using somatic grounding techniques and interventions geared toward “parts work,” clients grow in self-compassion and self-acceptance.
When applicable, I utilize Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for clients experiencing anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, and control-based disorders. This is a great way to help clients move towards their anxiety, learn not to be afraid of it, and create resiliency. I am currently working towards ERP certification and am under group supervision of Dr. Ashlenn Von Wiegand, LPC, CPCS, CCH, ACERP, CERP-P, ACERP-S, NCC to attain that certification when all criteria are met.
More about Meredith:
When Meredith is not driving her kids to soccer or baseball practice, she might be running with her husband, chatting with friends in coffee shops, or watching the latest binge-worthy TV show on Netflix. She loves musicals, a good novel, and belly-laughing with her hilarious four children.
Workshops are longer sessions designed to help deliver a large amount of content in a short period of time. Oftentimes, On-Demand Workshops are one-hour, while On-Going Workshops are typically are a full day. Some events are provided in class, group or workshop form and they are provided virtually or in person to deliver an intervention in a detailed and often experiential way.
Therapy options are available depending on the provider / therapist selected.
WholeHeart Psychotherapy represents a group of collaborative treatment professionals. However, each provider is an independent contractor. Note that this communication, in and of itself, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a client-therapist relationship until a written agreement is made.
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