In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session is designed to help you feel safe, informed, and supported. We’ll begin by reviewing consent to treatment, confidentiality, and important telehealth considerations so you understand your rights and what to expect from therapy. We’ll then talk about what has brought you to therapy at this point in your life. This may include infertility or reproductive grief; navigating IVF, IUI, donor conception, or adoption; preparing for or adjusting to bariatric surgery; weight loss through surgery or GLP-1 medications; or navigating hormonal changes related to menopause or conditions such as PCOS. Together, we’ll explore how these experiences are affecting your emotional well-being, daily life, and sense of self, as well as what you hope will feel different. I’ll also ask about your personal history, previous therapy experiences, current stressors, and goals. I approach this work through a culturally responsive and affirming lens, taking time to understand how your identities, values, and lived experiences shape your emotional world and treatment needs. This allows us to develop a thoughtful, individualized plan of care that feels respectful and relevant. I’ll explain the evidence-based approaches I use—such as CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy—and what therapy may look like moving forward. Before we end, we’ll review next steps so you leave feeling grounded, informed, and hopeful.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I bring nearly 20 years of experience in mental health, along with a strong foundation in healthcare shaped by working in a range of clinical roles prior to graduate training. Much of my career has been spent in integrated healthcare settings, where I collaborated closely with primary care and behavioral health teams. This experience gives me a comprehensive, big-picture understanding of the mind–body connection and how physical health, emotional well-being, and life circumstances intersect. I have also provided telehealth services since 2016, allowing me to build meaningful connection, consistency, and therapeutic momentum in a virtual setting. I am deeply committed to culturally responsive and affirming care and approach each client within the context of their unique identities, values, and lived experiences—never through a one-size-fits-all lens. One of my greatest strengths as a clinician is my ability to truly understand your perspective and tailor treatment in a way that feels personal, relevant, and respectful. I work intentionally within my areas of specialization, ensuring that clients receive care that aligns with their goals and the specific challenges they are seeking support for. My personal experiences have also given me firsthand insight into how isolating health-related and life transitions can feel, further deepening my commitment to supporting others through similar journeys. Despite nearly two decades in the field, I remain dedicated to continual growth and learning. I regularly pursue advanced training through continuing education, workshops, and ongoing study so that the care I provide reflects current, evidence-based practices. Many of the tools and resources I discover are thoughtfully adapted and shared with clients to support meaningful change outside of session. Clients often share that previous therapy experiences felt unstructured or lacked clear direction. That is not my approach. I am collaborative, goal-oriented, and intentional. Together, we establish clear goals, monitor progress, and work steadily toward meaningful change—recognizing both small and significant milestones along the way. I support you in taking actionable steps while offering consistent empathy, encouragement, and accountability. Clients frequently describe me as intelligent, kind, empathetic, direct, and authentic. I balance warmth with honesty, creating a supportive environment where you can show up fully as yourself. I offer guidance without judgment, gently challenge unhelpful patterns, and help you recognize and build upon the strengths you already possess.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are women—including members of the LGBTQ+ community—navigating fertility challenges, exploring alternative pathways to parenthood, seeking pre–bariatric surgery evaluations, or working toward obesity recovery. They are seeking guidance for the emotional and psychological impact of these health experiences and value care that honors their unique identity, lived experiences, and personal goals. Clients arrive in therapy ready to explore their story, even if they aren’t sure where to start. They may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain—but something in them knows that change is possible. Many have spent years prioritizing others, managing invisible stress, or navigating life transitions that left them feeling disconnected from themselves. Frequently, clients describe seeking therapy “just to have someone to talk to.” While talking can help, therapy goes further: we unpack experiences to begin intentional work toward healing. This involves processing emotions, developing coping skills, addressing past wounds, and building strategies to manage challenges independently. From the start, I emphasize that therapy is a structured process designed to equip you with tools for long-term growth and self-reliance. Our work is collaborative and goal-focused. Together, we identify specific goals and use them to guide each session, helping you move forward with clarity and purpose. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can explore complex emotions, shift unhelpful patterns, and develop practical strategies for meaningful change—even when the process feels uncomfortable or uncertain. I approach therapy through a culturally responsive lens, taking time to understand how your identities, values, and lived experiences shape your emotional world and treatment needs. I work with clients on: Infertility, including grief, anxiety, isolation, shame, depression, relationship stress, and navigating alternative pathways to parenthood such as IVF, IUI, donor conception, surrogacy, or adoption. Pre–weight loss surgery evaluations, supporting clients preparing for bariatric procedures (gastric sleeve or gastric bypass). Obesity recovery, which includes any journey to lose a significant amount of weight—whether through bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications (Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound), oral medications (Contrave, Topamax, Tenuate), or other approaches. Support includes adjusting to a changing body, managing unexpected emotions, coping with fear of weight regain, navigating body image and identity shifts, mourning food as a coping mechanism, and processing past emotional wounds. I use evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). CBT often includes small, actionable assignments between sessions to help clients build confidence and independence over time. Not sure where to start? I am here to offer a space where you feel seen, heard, and safe. When you’re ready, I will walk alongside you on your journey toward healing, growth, and lasting positive change.