Mr. Damani P. Irby
Personal Statement:
One of the hardest things in life is to be in tuned with one’s self. It’s quite paradoxical actually, in that we’ve lived in our bodies, aware of our own minds our whole lives, yet there can still be a disconnection. Sometimes negative experiences shape us without us being conscious of it until we start experiencing challenges in the form of depression, anxiety, and/or substance abuse. I believe these challenges and many others act as signals to our conscious mind that something isn’t right.
My belief is that it’s imperative, and at times critical, to have a healthy relationship with yourself in order to gain insight about the perceived problem. No one knows you better than you know yourself, and my goal is to help you unlock answers and awareness buried within you. While there are many techniques, approaches, and coping mechanisms that act as tools–it is the facilitation of growth, unconditional positive regard, and strong therapeutic alliance that I believe is the catalyst for change.
I maintain a strength based approach, which means to identify capabilities in a person, sometimes unbeknownst to themselves, and encourage the individual to utilize those strengths to conquer challenges. Throughout this exploration it is important to consider an individuals system in which they operate, because roles are a huge component to what messages we tell ourselves. What would happen if we could change those internal messages or modify them to be more useful?
A lot of people think of psychotherapy carrying the stigma of being weak or “crazy.” Psychotherapists are people too who have challenges and don’t look to raise themselves on some sort of pedestal. If you’re choosing to attend counseling, it’s because you’re looking to be engaged in a nonjudgmental environment of emotional growth where you’re liberated to self exploration. Ultimately, for me, this is the essence of treatment.
I have experience working with individuals age 5 and up, including families and couples. Experience has taught me to develop a set of strategies for each category of individuals, which has led me to successfully meet their needs in therapy.
Education
- University of Scranton, Master of Science in Community Mental Health Counseling, 2012
- Marywood University, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Minor in English, 2009
- Trauma Training, Series of Certificates by Drexel University Behavioral Health Education, 2014-2015
Licensures and Certifications
- Licensed Professional Counselor, #PC008082, March 2015
- National Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor-CBT, #320157, January 2016
- National Certified Counselor, #320157, June 2013
- National Health Service Corps, #1116717632, June 2015
"Your office staff and your treatment team's flexibility and kindness have been one of the reasons I've continued to seek care at your office. It's very impressive that you are able to provide a community mental health service in a way that people with and without insurance can afford. I am very lucky to find that level of care at a business that accepts insurance."
"I have been with Psych Choices for almost 20 years. I would and I do trust them with my life, and my mental well-being and health. They are the best, with the respect they have shown me over the years. Even the receptionist will brighten up your day and make you feel welcome."
"Excellent service, very professional."
"I have been a patient at Psych Choices for almost 7 years now and I am very pleased on the treatment and the way the staff and doctors treat you with the utmost respect as a person. They do not just give you medication and send you on your way like some doctors. The doctors and staff genuinely care about you and keep your information private and secure. I would definitely recommend the doctors at Psych Choices to a person in need or if you would just like to talk about everyday stresses. They have great hours also so you do not have to miss work!"
"I appreciated the opportunity to schedule my appointment and fill out the intake paperwork online! That made this whole process significantly more pleasant. Thank you for making that system available for patients."
"Mr. Tomlinson has helped me tremendously over the past year. Many thanks to the hardworking staff doctors and therapists at Psych Choices."
"Your office staff and your treatment team's flexibility and kindness have been one of the reasons I've continued to seek care at your office. It's very impressive that you are able to provide a community mental health service in a way that people with and without insurance can afford. I am very lucky to find that level of care at a business that accepts insurance."