About Me
My Journey, So Far
My name is Lidia Conners, and I am a licensed clinical social worker. I graduated with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Kansas, completing clinical, educational requirements at the University of Central Florida.
During the tenure of my career, I have effectively served a diverse population with mental health needs. I deeply care about providing quality services, and my client's safety and wellbeing are my highest priority. I hold active clinical licenses in the states of Florida, Kansas, and Missouri.
My Philosophy
Through training and experience, l believe that mental health illness is a lot of the time a maladaptive response to stressful experiences when interacting with what we perceive or experience as a threat. At times, responses to these experiences result in increase spiraling of mental health stressors.
When we are unable or have not recognized the effects of faulty perception, an unchallenged view or interpretation, an environmental influence, or how our brain is wired, a perception of mental illness can occur. Mental health stressors are preventable and treatable, and my goal is to help you achieve peace and balance.
What Happens
During stressful situations, the subconscious mind witnessed us surviving a perceived or real threat and may respond in maladaptive ways. These responses are imprinted in our brain's emotional part, the amygdala, which controls the subconscious mind. Our subconscious mind is then unable to differentiate a real from a perceived threat. Depending of a person’s resiliency, Any time the brain senses a threat, it will automatically default to the maladaptive behaviors of panic, anxiety, depression, disassociation, anger and the such.
These symptoms/behaviors may then be labeled as mental health conditions as they reside in our subconscious mind, unchallenged and negatively influencing our life.
The good news is that our brain can change and learn new ways no matter our age; this is called neuroplasticity. There are extensive research and evidence that asserts that we can change our brain and free it from these maladaptive responses. A way to do this is through awareness, the practice of mindfulness, challenging our thoughts, processing past trauma, learning how to regulate our emotions and reactions to our inner body.
Help is Available
Mindfulness is defined as living in the here and now (not on the past experiences or worries of the future). At ShadeTree Counseling, I use mindfulness and other treatment techniques to help the client practice awareness of details in the environment, awareness of thoughts, awareness of the dynamics in relationships, and the awareness of inner body sensations.
Mindfulness
With practice, we can rewire our brains through the repetition of effective coping skills and neutralize maladaptive responses. This allows us to live our lives based on our possibilities, inner strength, potential, and talent; qualities acquired at birth and then unused. Through this work, we will be able to rediscover our authentic selves. At ShadeTree Counseling, I can help and guide you to achieve a balanced, effective and satisfying life.
Helping You Cope
I deeply care about providing quality services, and our client's safety and well-being are our highest priority. My goal is to guide you to achieve a balanced, effective and satisfying life