Meet Malia
Background
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and Kentucky. Additionally I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Qualified Supervisor. As a healing professional, I have extensive experience in relational trauma, developmental immaturity, maladaptive coping and self regulation, mood disorders, relationship issues, family dynamics, generational trauma, and personal growth challenges . My background also includes working with Veterans, religious communities, college students, professional yacht crew members, and healing professionals.
Therapy is an art looking through the lens of one's experience and the energy in the room. Providing a safe environment combined with knowledge and compassion promotes optimal healing .
Treatment Focus
I strive to aid individuals in revealing their innate courage. Together we discover personal wounding and begin the healing journey. The process is often like being an emotional archeologist of one's life, pain, and strength. I hold the light; we do the work together until you can hold it for yourself. I stay curious and tell you the truth of what I see. My focus is you and what you need to reach your picture of growth.
Therapeutic Style
My experience has taught me to adapt to what my clients need; their comfort level, readiness, safety, communication style, and form of processing. I trust my instincts and intuition and teach my clients to do the same. What works for one does not work for all. I utilize various forms of experiential techniques including– Post Induction Therapy, Inner Child Work, IFS, AEDP- Fierce Love, Brainspotting, EMDR, Family Sculpting, Imagery work, Gestalt, Music Therapy, Genogram, and Psychodrama. I have an interest in the future of MDMA assisted psychotherapy and have completed the MAPS Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy training in anticipation of FDA approval. Additionally I am trained in Reiki, Healing Touch, and self trained in Emotion Code. I am able to devise strategies and employ techniques that truly help individuals get in touch with the missing parts of themselves. Of course, in order for this to work, I have to take time to get to know each client thoroughly. The relationship with my client and my ability to connect is the most important part of the process. Sometimes people just want to be heard and validated. Other times, clients need a challenge or push. It is the tree that bends in the storm that survives.
"Maybe you are searching among the branches for only what happens in the roots"- Rumi
Available Services
Individual Sessions
Telehealth and Coaching
Individual Sessions
Individual sessions are 1 hour although extended sessions are available. Clients often find 90 minute sessions helpful when needed.
Intensives
Telehealth and Coaching
Individual Sessions
Individual intensives are designed to provide deep healing when clinically indicated. These sessions are specific to the client's needs and readiness. A range of therapeutic interventions are utilized with more frequent sessions. This is often in collaboration with a team of providers.
Telehealth and Coaching
Telehealth and Coaching
Telehealth and Coaching
Remote sessions via online video or phone are available for clients who are unable to come to the office.
EMDR and Brainspotting
Inner Child and Feeling Reduction Work
Telehealth and Coaching
EMDR and Brainspotting incorporate
bilateral stimulation, mindfulness, somatic experience, and attunement to unlock and aid in healing a variety of issues including; past traumas, fears, anxiety, and grief. These modalities can also improve performance and ease everyday doubts and hesitations.
Inner Child and Feeling Reduction Work
Inner Child and Feeling Reduction Work
Inner Child and Feeling Reduction Work
Inner child and feeling reduction work are utilized to heal wounding experienced in childhood as well as developmental, relational trauma. This approach incorporates psychoeducation, the power of imagery, reparenting self, and guided experiential encounters.
Felt Sense
Inner Child and Feeling Reduction Work
Inner Child and Feeling Reduction Work
Felt sense, or recognizing the presence of emotions and correlating physical sensations in the body, is infused in all modalities. Clients are able to build capacity for emotions while also processing long held or difficult feelings.
FAQ
How Do I Know What I Need?
Treatment goals and interventions will be determined in collaboration with the client. Often clients believe they are seeking treatment for one issue and discover the need for deeper work.
Can I Use My Insurance?
Insurance is not accepted at this time; however, I am happy to provide you with the paper work to submit to your insurance company.
Who Will Know About My Therapy or Coaching Sessions?
Only the people you want to know. The exceptions to confidentiality are the following:
You are in danger of harming yourself or others, you have harmed a minor/elderly/or disabled person. Concerns about confidentiality will be addressed prior to treatment as well as releases of information and emergency contacts. Privacy and feeling safe to disclose is of utmost importance in the healing process.
What About My Partner ?
Should your partner request their own counseling or engage in couple's work; an appropriate referral will be made in conjunction with the client's ongoing individual work.
If I Need to Cancel?
24 hours notice is required to avoid being charged for the session.
What If You Can't Help Me?
At times a client may need specialized services or benefit from a specific modality. I refer my clients only to trusted professionals with whom I work in tandem as indicated.
"Surrender to grace. The ocean cares for each wave until it reaches the shore"-Rumi
testimonials
"If there is someone who has the ability to be tough and kind, it’s Malia. I could not say enough about the positive impact she has had on my life. Malia was my primary therapist when I was in treatment in 2013. She challenged me to take risks and supported me when I took them. I am honestly grateful to have met her when I did. It was the foundation that Malia helped me build that has brought me to more than 5 years sober. I still talk about her when I speak at open meetings."
- Thomas M.
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”- The Little Prince
"The above quote is Malia’s secret. She was able to delicately and diligently teach me the language of the heart. I am able to ascertain how I’m feeling throughout my body. So powerful!
When I started seeing Malia I was in a pretty dark place. Through her gentle prodding and not so gentle prodding at times,I have been able to heal decades-old trauma and ultimately begin to heal my inner child. I will be forever grateful for her compassion,insight and genuine caring for me. Little Joe is grateful as well."
-Joe N.
"When Malia was “assigned” to me as my primary therapist years ago while in treatment for alcohol addiction, little did I know I was to have an experience with her that would be life-changing. Long saddled by spirals of shame and cycles of defeat that accompany the disease and a history of trauma, I sat before Malia with a brokenness and vacancy of spirit; my light had all but gone out. Through our work together, Malia’s skillful and compassionate ability to gain my trust and help me boldly uncover and dissect my underlying wounds helped me pursue the process of knowing myself and being known. Under Malia’s care, a shift occurred and my healing process began. She held the light for me. And today I am a thriving woman in sustained recovery who pursues life and love on the highest levels. It all started with Malia; my foundation was built. To express Malia’s impact on my life in a few words is near impossible. I carry her in my heart, and am forever grateful."
Tracey C., NJ
" From March 2017-May 2017 Malia was my primary therapist. I was in pretty rough shape. Was out of touch with my emotions and was completely blind to the ways I would manipulate myself and the people around me. Malia was kind and understanding while at the same time being firm and explaining things in a way that I could hear without shutting down. I'm so grateful for the love and compassion that she showed to me. She helped me to find an amazing re-entry into a new life and two years later I'm still 100% drug and alcohol free. I cannot speak highly enough of what she has done for me and I will be forever grateful."
- Austin R.
"I have worked with at least a half dozen therapists in my life, but none compare with Malia Birk. They say that God gives you what you need, not always what you want. I did not know that I needed Malia, but the Good Lord delivered me into her care. Malia is an expert in her field and has all the requisite skills and talents that a professional such as she must possess. However, Malia has one trait that I have never encountered with other therapists. While all the others I’ve worked with were exceptional listeners, none had Malia’s uncanny ability to “listen” with her eyes. She can read people’s emotions like none other. Malia has a profound, intuitive, and unique insight into human behavior. She can empathize with her patients while staying professional. When initially assigned to Malia, the first thing people at the clinic told me was how lucky I was to be able to have her as my therapist. How right they were. Today, much healthier emotionally and psychologically because I was blessed to be in her care. You could not possibly be in better hands than those of Malia Birk."
-Michael R.
"Malia was my son’s primary therapist while he was in a rehab facility. Her dedication to him was the catalyst for his recovery! She helped him and the family through this most challenging journey. Her kindness and warmth facilitated the difficult work that had to be done. Malia is an exemplary professional and a blessing!"
-Myriam L.
"For years I was struggling and couldn't find myself, I was by many therapist but didnt get the help I needed, I was in depression and suicidal. Until God blessed me with the gift of seeing Malia as my primary therapist. I saw Malia a few days a week for almost 4 months, with her kindness and love she gave me tough challenges to work on myself to know my feelings of who I was, who I am, who I want to be. Her care for me went beyond what I expected. Malia knowing with what I was struggling she did what she knows best which is building myself up, helping me to have a voice, getting to know my feelings, spotting my trauma from the past and guiding me for the future how to deal with it, knowing the difference between wants and needs, bringing my family together. Getting me out from the darkness of depression into the light of life. I cannot be grateful enough for having her a part of my life. To me Malia is a blessing with knowledge and wisdom as a therapist who every client is like family to her, she is going the extra length to make a difference not only in my life but also in my surrounding family, I will forever be grateful to Malia Birk."
-Usher W
