Hey y'all! My name is Darady
Pronunciation: (Dare-uh-dee)
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I'm so glad you're here. I was born and raised in a small town in Idaho. I'm half Japanese and half American Indian so we'll just say I stuck out a little while growing up in Idaho. I love watching sports (Go Utes! & Hook 'em Horns) and I especially love traveling the world to experience and learn about all different cultures. I have explored 26 countries and counting. In my free time, I enjoy getting my sweat on at hip-hop cardio and playing my golden doodle named Pemba who grabs my attention when not in sessions.
Expertise and Dedication
Professional Qualifications
Education
I earned a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor's of Science in Human Development & Family Studies from the University of Utah. I earned a Master's degree in Social Work (MSSW) from The University of Texas at Austin with a focus on gerontology (GRACE), clinical counseling and mental health interventions.
Certifications
As a licensed therapist, I am trained in evidence-based therapies including EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, ACT, trauma-informed care, and mindfulness practices to provide comprehensive support to clients. I am licensed clinical social worker in Texas and Idaho.
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I've been teaching MSW student interns since 2021 and am a licensed clinical supervisor in the state of Texas.
I began my career at the Dept of Veterans Affairs in 2012. From homeless shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, and home health, I have worked with diverse populations facing various mental health and life challenges. For 10 years, I worked with homeless Veterans to get them housed and then to address their traumas once they were in stable housing & a foundation of safety in order to focus on their mental health. We addressed war traumas, family of origin traumas, childhood traumas, trauma from being unhoused and living on the streets, racial discrimination traumas, etc. I have been working with older adults residing in nursing homes since. I began providing individual therapy with the civilian sector in 2021 when I saw there was a huge need for mental health support during Covid.
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I began teaching MSW students and interns at the VA in 2021 and am continuing educating through clinical supervision.
Experience
Specializations
I specialize in addressing trauma (family of origin, attachment, racial discrimination, war, first responders), anxiety, depression, self-esteem, adjusting to life transitions, & aging/caregiving burden and stress aiming to empower individuals to overcome obstacles and lead fulfilling lives.
Values
Compassion, empathy, and authenticity form the foundation my practice. I believe in fostering a collaborative and empowering therapeutic relationship that promotes healing and growth.
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I also find it our responsibility as licensed professionals to teach the next generation of social workers to hold them to a high standard to uphold our values.