Hi, I’m Brandi! A gal that landed into clinical social work.

I am a weirdo, a mom, a partner, an INFJ, a family member, a therapy client, often too witty for my own good, neurodivergent, a movie lover, horror reader, easily excitable, a constant learner, a little witchy, a roladex of references, a bird enthusiast, a lover, a hater, and an absolute mess among other things.

I’ve always been aware of suffering and inequality as well as joy and the power of community. Though I wandered into college with the plan of learning nutrition, I was drawn to the social sciences. During this time, a professor told me she saw me becoming a social worker and to that I thought “the hell I am!”.

My entire life I have followed paths with the idea of where I’m going and another idea of where I am DEFINITELY NOT GOING. To my humble surprise, I have found myself in the roles and paths that I’d closed my mind to. Whether at first I believed they were too hard, boring, not me, etc. I have found happiness and passion on the paths I have had to open my mind to. It’s a lifelong process to open your mind, to the “good” or “bad” as well as everything in between.

Open Mind Therapy was created to remind myself and bring the knowledge to others that though we are the experts on our lives, we have blind spots and it’s worth having someone to see, bring light to, and open those spaces for exploration.

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My Philosophies

what gives life to my work

Systems

We live and abide by certain sets of rules that may help or harm us. Some systems we have a say in, others we don’t have much control over. I aim to help you acknowledge and process the impacts these systems have on your life.

Strengths

It may not feel like it, but you have all the answers. You have more strength in you than you may realize. There have been many moments you have overcome and you can use those same tactics to help yourself now. I look at you with the cup half full, and support you to do the same.

Relationships

We are connected and develop in community. We do not live in a vacuum even if it feels that way at times. I am a living breathing person that you are interacting with and that in itself can be healing. While building a therapeutic relationship with me, I support you to explore and process other relationships from your life.

Realness

I am a clinician, but I try not to be overly clinical in my presentation. I want to ensure you understand what we are doing and feel like you’re involved in the work. I am a flawed human helping you, another flawed human with the experience of being a human…with flaws.

Service

You are coming to me for support. I am in service to you and what you want to work on. I am here to help you reach your goals for functioning and enjoyment of life. You tell me where you want to go and we can steer the ship to the promised land together.

Humor

You gotta laugh. Sometimes it’s a way to hide, sometimes it’s a way to relate. It’s a way to cope. Things are serious, but we don’t always have to take them so seriously. A little humor adds to the conversation, heals, and builds our tolerance for some of the stuff we deal with in this life. Find the silly. Embrace the humor.

Authenticity & Compassion

I am in the session with you, sitting in and sometimes feeling the shit. Using that to ask what you’re experiencing. I self disclose or show you parts of me and my experience to provide validation, normalization, and relationship. I have worked hard to find a balance between professional and human, using that humanness to help guide the healing I’m providing professionally.

How did I learn What I do?

    • Associate of Arts in Social Sciences from Jamestown Community College

    • Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Binghamton University

    • Master of Social Work from Binghamton University

    • Mentored and counseled in multiple colleges

    • Worked in numerous programs for “at risk” youth during regular and afterschool hours

    • Interned as a school social worker at an alternative learning school

    • Worked in various elementary and high schools providing care management, therapy, and curriculum based intervention

    • Provided therapy in a group practice serving ages 5-70

    • ADHD Specialist Certification

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