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My name is Margaret Banks. I am a certified clinical social worker (LCSW-C 30326) in the State of Maryland. I have a direct style approach and believe in guiding clients to make their own decisions. Clients are the expert of their own lives. My focus area of practice is geared toward individuals ages 18-65.
My approach
My most common theoretical approaches are CBT, DBT, ACT, CPT, SFBT and SBT
My focus
My focus area is working with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, interpersonal relationship and career struggles, low self-esteem, and stress.
My communication style
To work with me is to be in a judge free zone where you will be able to tell your story the way you see fit. I believe if clients do not have a rapport with their therapist, they will not be able to make the progress they are hoping to make.
My journey to mental healthcare
This profession is personal for me because growing up I never saw many people who looked like me that were therapist. Additionally, I wanted to erase the mental health stigma in the African American community and bring awareness that just because a person seeks therapy does not mean they are crazy. In my opinion, everyone could use therapy. I don't know anyone that does not have some issues that he or she can be working on in therapy.
My goals for you
I believe the therapist and client are to collaborate to set goals based on the goals the client wants to work on. I believe goals should be prioritize. Sometimes clients present with a host of issues but what I have discovered is when the main issue is solved, often times other issues will be solved or at least symptoms minimized.
My first session with you
Clients can expect a lot of open-ended questions so I can get to know who they are and what brings them to therapy. I would be collecting clients' history and assessing for symptoms, duration, and severity to obtain a diagnosis for insurance purposes.
