Philadelphia Therapist Accepting New Clients: Chimère G. Holmes
Finding a Philadelphia therapist accepting new clients can be difficult. CFR is proud to have Staff Therapist Chimère G. Holmes, MA, MSEd, LPC as a member of our organization. Chimère sees patients virtually and is currently accepting new clients.
Continue reading to learn more about Chimère, her therapeutic approaches, goals, and training.
CFR Staff Therapist Chimère G. Holmes, MA, MSEd, LPC (pictured here) earned her Master’s degree in Theology and Pastoral Ministry from Villanova University.
Chimère’s journey to becoming a therapist
My first love was journalism. I have always wanted to follow in the footsteps of Oprah Winfrey. My bachelor’s degree is in Communications from Immaculata University. I interned at WCAU NBC-10 under the tutelage of the late, legendary Edie Huggins (considered a Black on-air trailblazer in the field). I assisted her with the “Huggins Heroes” segment that gave voice to ordinary Philadelphia locals making a difference throughout the community.
After spending 5 years working in print journalism and discovering a love for travel, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Theology and Pastoral Ministry, as I felt called to more altruistic work and did a great deal of campus ministry at Villanova University as their first Black Campus Minister. I also traveled to Kingston Jamaica, San Salvador, El Salvador, and Antigua, Guatemala.
During my last semester at Villanova, I enrolled in the class “Introduction to Pastoral Counseling” and had an aha! moment. I graduated in May and began my second Master’s degree in Counseling at the University of Pennsylvania. After working in South Philly during the crux of the opioid epidemic for five years and earning my Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure, I decided to pursue a terminal degree. I am currently finishing my Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Eastern University.
I chose to work at CFR because it was the organization where I had my first clinical internship in 2013 and counseled my first client. I remember falling in love with all things systems therapy in a CFR class taught by Dr. Steve Treat. CFR deeply informed so many aspects of my therapeutic work. I am happy to be a part of such an impressive and diverse community of practitioners, and I want to utilize my doctoral work at CFR.
A rich pastoral background
My rich pastoral background and passion for spirituality greatly inform the work that I do with clients. I operate from the stance that we are all spiritual beings having unique human experiences and so it is crucial to treat clients with emphasis and attention on the mind, body, and spirit. I utilize a more holistic understanding as part of treatment, and want to help my clients understand we are so much more than our thoughts; we have an innate resolve to rise above anything difficult we have been through…but we first have to tap into our inner power.
What you can expect in your first session with Chimère
During an initial session with me, you can expect to feel warmth, enthusiasm, and above all, a sense of being welcomed. I seek to get a snapshot of each individual or couple I am meeting with by using some key exploratory questions as to how they got into my office, what is and is not working in life right now, and what they are hoping to address in treatment. I typically begin some informal family mapping to formulate a genogram that will provide me insight into intergenerational dynamics, beliefs, and patterns that are more than likely showing up with my client in the therapy room in the here and now. I always ask clients what their short-term and long-term treatment goals are.
As I learned during my intern days at CFR, clients want to get unstuck and clients want to feel better. I want my clients to love themselves deeply and to begin to trust themselves more. If people love themselves, they will be able to show up in all relationships differently, and they will be able to teach people how to treat them. When clients trust themselves, they can better tap into the answers/solutions to any question or dilemma they struggle with according to their inner resolve. There is no magic button or quick fix. Ultimately, healing is a lifelong process.
As an avid learner, I am a firm believer in psychoeducation and bibliotherapy. One thing people should know about me is that if you want to work with me, you will be expected to do your work! A dear colleague of mine once said, “Insight without action is BS,” and I couldn’t agree with her more.
I supply clients with resources to help them in between sessions—that is where the real work begins. I recommend supplementary reading, skill building, mindfulness practices, and more. I want my clients to leave me and the work we do together feeling better than when they first meet me. When a client is well enough to move on from treatment, and they have a greater sense of awareness and can utilize tools and skills pertinent to managing initial symptoms in addition to being able to regulate themselves emotionally, I know I’ve done my job.
Struggling with the decision to request a therapy appointment?
Time is of the essence and you have probably been struggling and suffering long enough. You owe it to yourself to do something that will hopefully be life-changing. You deserve to feel better and you are not alone. I along with all of the CFR professionals are here to help, support, and encourage you. We only get one precious life—this is not a dress rehearsal, so pick up that phone or send that email because it’s time for you to invest in yourself and become the leading role in your own life.
The only way out is through.
CFR therapists are accepting new patients. Ready to book an appointment with a psychiatrist or therapist? Questions about session costs?
Chimère G. Holmes, MA, MSEd, LPC is a Philadelphia therapist accepting new online clients. Click here to book an appointment.
You may reach Chimère at cholmes@councilforrelationships.org or 215-770-2334 ext 7064.
See our Therapist & Psychologist Directory to find a different CFR therapist or psychiatrist near you.