LCSW, 12 years of experience
New to Grow
Through both personal and professional experience, I understand how overwhelming life can feel when you know something needs to change but aren’t sure where to start. It can be scary and overwhelming, but with guidance it’s possible to make changes that will feel exciting and empowering. I am skilled working with teens and young adults who are just starting to explore themselves and their place in the world, individuals and families navigating and adjusting to life changes, managing interpersonal relationships, reinventing yourself and managing the expectations you’ve set and finding who you want to be when you grow up. It’s so easy to think that we’re stuck in the situations we find ourselves in but I promise you that you can rewrite your story. Our time together will be an hour in your week where you can drop your mask in a safe space without fear of judgment. By allowing yourself to feel all your feelings we can break down whatever is holding you back to help you to build confidence, find clarity and the direction you’ve been searching for. I’m excited for us to get started.
In our first session, we'll explore what brought you here, what you're looking for, and how you want your life to look six months from now. We'll get to know each other and understand what has led you to this point. You'll be encouraged to share whatever feels comfortable or to sit with your thoughts. From there we'll begin building the rapport that's so key to establishing a warm, supportive, and nurturing therapeutic alliance.
What sets me apart is my versatility in supporting individuals working through roadblocks preventing them from living the lives they want and feeling the way they want to feel. We will work collaboratively and no matter what you are feeling at any point there is space for your growing pains. Each session is your space to drop the mask, express yourself freely, and be met with empathy and practical strategies for growth. I'm particularly skilled at helping clients make connections between their past experiences and current patterns, then translating those insights into practical, actionable strategies. My background as a birth doula has enhanced my therapeutic skills by teaching me to stay present during transformative moments and trust in people's innate capacity for growth. What makes me effective is my ability to blend evidence-based techniques with genuine support, creating an environment where clients feel safe to explore difficult emotions while developing concrete tools for lasting change.
I'm particularly well-suited to support adolescents and young adults who are navigating their path, as well as women at various stages of life. Whether you're facing challenges with self-esteem, making major life decisions, managing relationship issues, or going through significant transitions, I provide a compassionate and grounded space for exploration and growth. My background as a birth doula also brings a unique perspective and deeper understanding of the emotional and physical journey women and partners experience during transformative life events. In my work, I support individuals struggling with identity, self-doubt, interpersonal relationships, spirituality and spiritual identity, and life transitions. I believe in meeting clients where they are, helping them build clarity, resilience, and confidence as they move forward in their lives.
I utilize CBT as a core therapeutic approach to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and challenges during life transitions. Through techniques like cognitive restructuring, thought records, behavioral activation, and problem-solving skills training, I work collaboratively with clients to develop practical coping strategies and build more balanced, realistic perspectives. My CBT approach is highly practical and skill-focused, empowering clients to become their own therapists by providing tools they can use both in session and in their daily lives. I find CBT particularly effective because it addresses the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, helping clients break negative cycles and build lasting positive change.
I integrate mindfulness-based techniques to help clients develop present-moment awareness and build a healthier relationship with their thoughts and emotions. Through practices like mindful breathing, body scans, meditation, and mindful awareness exercises, I teach clients to observe their internal experiences without judgment, reducing reactivity to stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions. My mindfulness approach helps clients step back from overwhelming thoughts and feelings, creating space to respond rather than react automatically. I find mindfulness particularly effective for managing anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and emotional regulation challenges, as it builds clients' capacity to stay grounded in the present moment rather than getting caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past. I incorporate mindfulness both as standalone exercises and woven throughout other therapeutic techniques, helping clients develop a sustainable practice they can use independently for long-term emotional wellness.
I use Motivational Interviewing as a collaborative, client-centered approach to help individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about change. Through techniques like reflective listening, open-ended questions, affirmations, and summarizing, I help clients identify their own motivations and reasons for change rather than imposing external pressure. My MI approach recognizes that clients are the experts on their own lives and focuses on strengthening their internal motivation and commitment to positive change. I find MI particularly effective for clients who feel stuck, ambivalent about therapy goals, or resistant to change, as it honors their autonomy while gently guiding them toward self-discovery. Whether addressing substance use, lifestyle changes, relationship patterns, or personal growth goals, I use MI to help clients articulate their values and move toward changes that align with what matters most to them. This approach creates a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients feel heard and empowered to make meaningful changes at their own pace.