Description
Chaka completed her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Washington University. She has over 17 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings including outpatient specialty clinics, crisis intervention, structured outpatient programs, substance abuse outpatient programs, nonprofits, and private practice. Chaka is credentialed as Board Approved Clinical Supervisor and has provided clinical supervision towards full licensure for Licensed Clinical Social Workers. She has provided clinical and administrative supervision to social work student, interns and professionals. She has a broad range of clinical experience working with individuals and groups across the life span in the following areas:
•Depression and Bipolar Disorder
•Anxiety Disorders
•Mood Disorders
•Self-Harm Behavior
•Complicated Grief Reactions
•Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness
•Anger and Stress Management
•Trauma and Abuse
•Family and Relationship Issues
•Suicide Assessment and Risk Reduction
•Group Psychotherapy
•Dating Violence/Abuse
•Couple’s Conflict
•Self-image and Self-Esteem Issues
Chaka’s approach encompasses a holistic, strength based, person centered approach guides her practice with emphasis on conjoint development of goals for therapy and provision of ongoing evaluation of the therapeutic approach. Services can include individual, couples, family and group therapy across the lifespan. Chaka is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing and Family Systems Theory. She continues to seek ongoing updates to her skills and knowledge base. She is particularly concerned with the impact of loss and trauma and improving intervention to support trauma recovery for better emotional, physical and relationship health.
Work with Adolescents.
In my work with adolescents, I integrate a person centered to provide support with help dealing with school stress, violence, bullying, the loss of a relationship, or peer pressure. Additionally, adolescents might need help working through their feelings about family or social issues, particularly if there's a major transition, like a death, divorce, move, or serious illness. The focuses of treatment is centered on building self-esteem and improving relationships and communication, helping adolescents to cope with stress, develop problem-solving skills, a strong sense of self and emotional strength.
Work with Couples,
In my work with couples, I facilitate addressing and overcoming disputes surrounding several concerns including Affair Recovery, Communication Intimacy & Sexual Issues, Jealousy & Mistrust, Co-Parenting & Parent-Child Conflict. Treatment modalities used in couples therapy involves use of various schools of treatment for relationships including systemic family therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Work LGBTQ
As an affirming therapist, I am passionate about working with clients within the LGBTQI+ community on issues such as gender identity and dysphoria, discrimination and harassment, sexuality, low self-esteem, transitioning, unhealthy coping mechanisms, family issues, relationship dynamics, depression, anxiety, addiction, empowerment, career issues, etc.
