Gabrielle Kirchem
Hi! I'm Gabrielle, a licensed clinical social worker, practicing virtually in New York State and Louisiana. My friends would describe me as authentically myself, a little quirky, think Jessica Day but make it spooky. My clients often describe me as the only therapist they have felt able to be authentic with.
As a young and queer provider, I specialize in helping young adults find their way in life and help them recover from trauma or toxic patterns.
I pride myself as being the most empathetic person you will ever meet. I bring evidence-based practices mixed with personal life experience, to help clients find what they need in life to thrive. Each person's journey is unique to them and I just want to help you uncover your best self. My goal as a clinician is to help people reach their potential and recover from problems that they feel may be inescapable. I promise, these feelings are temporary. Other than clinical work, my goal is to create community and a safe space for people who feel they haven't had one yet. I enjoy putting on free events in my town to feed people and have a good time. I am politically active and as a social worker, will always choose morality and humanism.
First session
When I started therapy as an adult, the therapist started with, "Don't expect to be feeling better for a while, it usually gets worse before it gets better." WRONG. NO. NOT WITH ME. Welcome to my virtual room where I will be your safe space. In our first session, I want to hear you tell me all about you, but don't worry, I won't expect you to do all the talking. I think the first session is a collaborative space for you to get to know me, me to get to know you, and ultimately see if we vibe. I'll explain how I think I can help you, get your opinion on how you want treatment to go, and we make a plan for when we will meet again. By the end of our first session, you will feel validated and listened to with hope for a better future and motivation to get you started.
Strengths
I can relate to almost anything that anyone has to talk about. In sessions, I can meet you where you're at and when clinically appropriate, share in ways that you are not alone. Being able to sit with a client who is crying because their best friend died and nobody could possibly understand her pain. I can. I have real world experience that I bring in pair with my knowledge of evidence based treatments. I have been in therapy my entire life. I know what works and I know what doesn't. You tell me what you need and I will make it happen. I mean that in a therapeutic sense, but I also mean that I am a social worker above all. I will take time out of my day anytime to help connect someone with resources that they need to survive. I meet people where they're at, I cry if you need someone to cry with. I laugh if you need someone to laugh with. I make each client's therapeutic experience feel tailored to them, safe, and validating.
Ideal clients
This prompt is hard for me because I have a few types of ideal clients. I enjoy working with younger adults who are navigating mood disorders, trauma, or borderline behavior, trying to figure life out. Someone who is near college age, struggling with their identity or place in the world, not understanding why they act the way they do sometimes. They come to therapy thinking that its something they're "supposed" to do. Because that is what everyone has been telling them. Clients who feel life is hopeless and there is no reason for living past a certain point. Clients who are struggling with patterns of substance abuse, toxic family relationships, intimate partner violence, or struggles just to make a new friend or talk to someone. Clients struggling with fear of abandonment or commitment. I just really love to help people and I have a lot of experience to go around :)
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I prefer to use person-centered/ humanistic methods of practice because I believe everyone is unique and specially curated for what will work for them.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I often use cognitive behavioral therapy because it has proven time and time again that it is effective for clients with a range of negative thoughts, depressions or anxieties. It is real tangible homework that clients can use to reflect on in real time throughout daily experiences, if they need it.
Location
Virtual sessions