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Lynette Cisneros, LCMHC, LMHC
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. My education and degrees were completed at the University of Florida & Loyola University Chicago. Throughout my 24 year career I have provided individual, couples, family & group therapy with diverse populations of children, adolescent and adult clients in larger cities as well as rural communities. At this time I focus exclusively on providing individual therapy for adults across NC and FL.
In my career I have chosen to practice in differing clinical settings across various populations. I am confidant this decision has enhanced not only how I practice but also how I move through & within my own life. Trust me, I loathe to sound cliched but it can be true that the therapist/client journey is a sacred space. I value what this path has granted me and the many opportunities to really get a chance to learn from & better understand people from various walks of life. It has enhanced my perspective and I am a better counselor and person for it.
The settings I've practiced in have included: in-home, juvenile justice residential and day-treatment programs, foster homes, elementary & high schools, university counseling centers and private practice.
Quick Aside
At one point, many years into my career I had a colleague request that I work with a population outside of my wheelhouse. I was asked to "stretch a little" to cover another's caseload on a temporary basis so the clients wouldn't go without services. That resonated with me and I figured no problem, I'll be a team player, I can meet people where they're at! Well, I've got to tell you, stretching to work with the "littles", the kindergartners, in their elementary school was something else entirely.
🙂
What an adventure!
Primary Approach
Primary Approach
I utilize an Integrative Approach as it allows the counselor to draw from multiple methods across various therapeutic orientations in order to customize the therapy process with each individual. The Integrative Approach is a holistic and welcoming approach which highlights the individual characteristics & experiences of the client, client motivation and the therapeutic relationship as key elements towards affecting lasting change.
See Treatment Approach for information on the other therapeutic orientations utilized.
Style
Style
My style & intention through the therapeutic process is to collaborate in a respectful, compassionate, direct and non-judgmental manner. I work to appropriately join with my clients as they identify their personal goals that are both positive and attainable.
I do not approach therapy from the 'blank slate' therapist perspective however I do believe this space is for and about you and any therapist disclosures will be thoughtful and appropriate for rapport building & maintenance. As well as to support, validate & encourage you while on your healing journey. Our therapeutic relationship is intended as a tool to heal not distract.
I seek to assist my clients in identifying which choices, thoughts & behaviors have served them well and which may need to be reframed, redirected or just released. Furthermore, I believe in validating, empowering, laughing with and if necessary challenging my clients as they increase their self awareness, sort through the impact of unresolved experiences and establish concrete changes.
I strive to be welcoming & inclusive while providing a safe space for all my clients to openly be who they are.
For a further glimpse into my style as a clinician come along.
Specialties
Specialties
Specialized areas addressed in treatment may include: increasing self-awareness, identifying and maintaining healthy boundaries, identifying effective ways to cope, depression, anxiety, increasing self-worth, decreasing excessive people-pleasing tendencies, unresolved trauma, increasing self-care, decreasing thought spiraling, assertiveness, healthy & authentic communication, disentangling from toxic situations and/or relationships, setting & managing realistic expectations of self and others, recognizing and redirecting self-sabotaging tendencies, motivation, challenging faulty thinking patterns, reframing limiting self-talk, improving self-esteem, individual autonomy, grief & loss, life transitions, parent/child dynamics (through the lifespan), identifying ways to manage ADHD tendencies (i.e., procrastination, distractibility, time management, hyperfixation), identity exploration & development.
Further elaboration regarding specialties is provided at Treatment Areas.
Therapist Photo by
On a personal note
On a personal note
Being able to cope with the daily grind of life is important for all of us. One of my preferred coping skills is listening to audiobooks. I also love a random coffee table book find. I value the escapism books provide. Of course we may prefer different kinds of stories however some authors that may be worth a glance are:
Fiction
-Fredrik Backman
-Diane Chamberlain
-Kristin Hannah
-Lisa Jewell
Non Fiction & Fiction
-Mitch Albom
-Erik Lawson
Non Fiction
-Gary Janetti
-Jenny Lawson
These particular authors have multiple works I enjoy. However, there are countless quality stories and authors out there. As always, read the story descriptions before you settle in.
See Resources for supplemental therapeutic works. See Musings for thoughts to consider.
I also have a dog and as any pet owner knows - it is their world and we live in it. Pets, whichever kind you may prefer, are a powerful coping skill. She is not pictured as she would surely be offended by a pile of leaves on her head but you get the point. Her nemesis is however lurking below.
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