About Me
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Introduction
It is my hope that empathetic, nonjudgmental and culturally competent care speak to you as it has for me. I empower those struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship and self-worth issues, life transitions, trauma and body image issues using a variety of cognitive therapies. I come from a refugee/immigrant background that has helped me see you exactly where you are. I individualize your care as I am sensitive to where you are in your journey. My style is gentle and compassionate yet direct and solution-focused. You will be challenged and I'm relentlessly your cheerleader no matter where you land. I welcome you to be fully yourself.
What was your path to becoming a mental health provider?
I got my MSW at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with the dreamy wide-eye hope of changing the world. My initial focus was not clinical but I landed my first big-girl job in case management for children's mental health through Ramsey County, MN. That experience completely changed my trajectory as I switched from macro-level change to micro (working with the individual and not systems). I now have over 13 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings including community mental health, private agencies, skilled nursing facility, residential, intensive outpatient / partial hospitalization programs, and virtual platforms. Currently, I prefer to work with adults as I continue to master my craft.
What should someone know about working with you?
The intake process will be data gathering of the problems you're coming in to address, your histories in regard to previous treatment, family, and other impacting factors such as trauma. I take a whole-person and integrative approach to treatment as well as psycho-education to give you more control over your situation. The ideal client will be someone who knows what they want to work on, is open-minded, ready for change in and outside the session time, and take responsibilities for their part. Progress looks like consistency, stability and harmonious relationship with self and others. I expect our working relationship to be roughly one year, I do not believe in fostering dependence as I want you to be empowered by your own agency.
How do you continue learning and building new skills?
I regularly fulfill and exceed my continuing education requirements through PESI, NICABM, Simple Practice and so on, mostly in areas of trauma, attachment, love and relationships, body image and disordered eating. I continue to be interested in different modalities such as IFS, ACT, polyvagal and EFIT.
I am excited to work with you!
Kayoua C. Thao, MSW, LCSW
CA #108469 | NV #7158-C | WA #61374335
University of Michigan, School of Social Work
Master of Social Work 2011
Macalester College
Bachelor of Arts 2009
Psychology / Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies