Learn More About Me

Welcome! My name is Cicely. Here are some common questions about me!

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What is your education and professional background?

I have been working in the social services field for almost a decade, after leaving a corporate administrator position of 11 years. I have spent seasons in Case Management, Family Based Counseling, Multi-systemic Therapy, Substance Use Disorder treatment, a school-based supervisor and therapist in the Reading School District and a counselor in alternative education for disruptive youth. I am also a Master's clinical mental health instructor at Immaculata University. I have worked with diagnoses such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, ODD, conduct disorder, and others. 

 

What kind of counselor are you?

A no BS, culturally informed and culturally focused kind. I respect my clients' autonomy and confidentiality without exception. I view my clients and their stories through a Cultural Narrative Therapy lens; however, I use interventions from all theories. Most people are familiar with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which I utilize, in addition to TF-CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and others. Individuals are not "one size fits all"; therefore, neither is counseling. I tell my clients, "I will never tell you what you should or should not do - how would I know?" What I will do is explore the options and walk through scenarios with honesty and without judgment. I bring many of my experiences into the counseling session to normalize some of those feelings that can create guilt and shame to show that vulnerability is beautiful. 

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In my Own Words:

My most valuable skills were not acquired during grad school or within the classroom walls but from my experiences. I am proud to be a vocal member of several social and cultural margins: Female, BIPOC, LGBTQA+, ACOA, and others. My clients feel heard and seen! Humor and safety are essential to my life and, therefore, integral to my treatment. 

I aim to join with my clients to create space that celebrates:

•  Challenging society’s view of success for the BIPOC population

•  Defining and embracing your household’s composition to what works for you.

•  Exploring your needs as a parent, adolescent, student, spouse, etc.

•  Navigating through your upbringing to identify how much of your culture impacts how you are trying to live today.

•  Setting boundaries (one of my favorites!)

•  Viewing the connections between relationships, past and present.

With the teen population:

•  Be heard during a development period when no one seems to listen.

•  Ask questions without anyone jumping into panic mode or to conclusions.

•  Improve communication skills in preparation for challenging conversations and self-advocacy.

•  Set and respect boundaries.

•  Balance the conflicting expectations of dependency and independence

 

To schedule a free consultation, click here.