Meet Aaliyah
Hi, I’m Aaliyah. I am Black, strong, proud, and don’t take any shit. I’ve learned to be strong because life is messy and has knocked me around a bit.
I’ve come from a place within my culture where people don’t believe in mental health or trust that someone else can believe their experience or have the solution to a problem they don’t want to talk about.
Before I got my poop in a group, I was deceitful, disregarded others, and made poor and reckless decisions. I felt like I was to blame for EVERYTHING and acted out. I had a pressure to do better that I rebelled against. If it wasn’t for volleyball I would have missed out on so much, including college and getting my degree. Smashing that ball over the net was so refreshing!
Growing up I knew I was different. I was around the age of 9 and felt to blame for my difficulty focusing and comprehending things. My parents continually heard “she’s a good student but she don’t stop talking.” I was social and friends with everybody, but even socially I had a lack of focus and attentiveness. I was the kid that left the sleep overs early because I got bored too easy and needed to sleep in my own bed.
After a series of random experiences and WTF moments, I learned that getting help is ok. As an adult, I have continued to struggle in relationships, within family, and in finding ways to manage my neurodiversity. This is why I became a therapist. I want to help others find better ways to live through their WTF moments.
Here is a little about me
Outside of the office, I am an obsessed dog mom. Can you blame me?!? Just look at Mylo. I am also a volleyball league player and horror movie lover. What is your favorite scary movie? I love clothes, shoes, and accessories. And I never miss the opportunity to showcase my style!
What Makes me an Awesome Therapist
I have over 6 years of experience working with young adults, older adolescents and teenagers. I have gained many things from my clients, including patience, a comfort in dealing with multicultural situations, and an awareness of diverse needs. I have provided group therapy, lead NA and AA meetings, focused on relapse prevention, and learned how to help effectively support the person behind the addiction. I also have worked in a group home for troubled children, where I was exposed to angry and aggressive children and learned how to deescalate their emotions and help them experience a semblance of control. This is where I also gained experience working with families to help reduce family conflict to create a more cohesive family system.
You’d rather feel confident in yourself, feel worthy of good things, and capable to get it done.
You’ve already: Googled, read the self help books, listened to podcasts, scrolled Tik Tok, talked to friends and family, screamed and cried. And yet, here you are…stuck again. Coming to me for therapy isn’t about fixing what is wrong with you. It’s about helping you see the strengths that you already have and giving you the tools to use them.
Let’s find your inner badass!
Here is why you want to work with me
I support my clients by giving them a safe and nonjudgmental environment to explore and be their authentic selves. I encourage clients to grow by working with them to expand their perspectives. I offer a blunt directedness with a side of sass. I help clients cater to their basic human and emotional needs by focusing and committing to new ways of experiencing emotions and life in general. Lastly, you can come to me to find hope.
I’ve been there. I’ve got you.
I help clients through the use of multiple theories. Basically I make sure my approach in treatment is geared toward your needs, not my own or some book that tells us how to work through things. For those wondering, however, I use a combination of CBT and Humanistic therapies. This means that I help clients explore making decisions, process choices, find solutions to problems, and manage emotions using tools that register with the client’s personality.
Things I am required to tell you
- I have a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bellevue University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Grace University.
- I am a Licensed Mental Health Provider in Nebraska (LIMHP), license # 3862.
- I am trauma informed, LGBTQ+ friendly, and am aware of neurodiverse needs.
- I am a certified Addictions Informed Mental Health Practitioner.
If you need any other information, please contact me. If you feel like someone else in the clinic would be a better fit, please reach out to one of our amazing therapists! Or if you would like more options, I would be happy to help you find the therapist you need.