Get to know me

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

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve been holding everything together for so long. My goal for the very first session is to make sure you feel safe, supported, and understood from the moment we begin. In our first meeting, we’ll spend time getting to know each other. I’ll ask about your story, what brought you to therapy, and what you hope to gain from this process. You don’t need to have the “perfect” words to explain it—I’ll help guide you with questions and curiosity. We’ll talk about what’s been weighing on you, what keeps you up at night, and the changes you’d like to see in your life. I also spend time explaining my style, approach, and what you can expect in future sessions. I believe in transparency and collaboration, so you’ll always know where we’re headed. Some clients feel relief right away, simply from putting words to feelings they’ve been carrying in silence. Others leave the first session feeling hopeful, knowing they’ve finally taken that first step toward healing. By the end of the first session, you’ll have a clearer sense of direction. We’ll begin identifying goals together—not just the “big picture” goals like “I want to feel less anxious,” but also the small, achievable steps that will help you get there. Some clients want tools they can start using right away to manage overwhelming thoughts or regulate emotions. Others want a safe space to process trauma and difficult life experiences. Wherever you are, I’ll meet you there. I want you to leave your first session knowing that therapy is not about being “fixed.” You are not broken. Therapy is about giving yourself the time and space to reconnect with your strengths, heal old wounds, and begin creating a life that feels more aligned with who you are.

The treatment methods and tools I utilize

My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, integrative, and flexible. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model for healing. Instead, I tailor each session to your unique needs, goals, and lived experiences. I draw from a variety of evidence-based practices, including: • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping you identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns. • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Providing tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and building healthier relationships. • Narrative Therapy: Exploring the stories you’ve been told—or have told yourself—about who you are, and rewriting them in ways that reflect your strength and truth. • Trauma-Informed Care: Ensuring safety, trust, and empowerment as you work through painful past experiences. • Mindfulness & Somatic Tools: Helping you reconnect with your body, calm your nervous system, and find grounding in the present moment. In addition to these modalities, I also incorporate emotional regulation strategies, self-compassion practices, boundary-setting skills, and inner child healing. These tools allow us to work not just on surface-level symptoms, but on the deeper patterns that keep you stuck. I believe therapy should be both reflective and practical. That means we’ll spend time exploring the “why” behind your struggles, but we’ll also build tangible skills you can use outside of session. Whether it’s calming racing thoughts, improving communication, or learning to set boundaries, I’ll equip you with strategies you can take into your daily life. Over time, our work together will help you feel more in control of your emotions, more confident in your relationships, and more connected to yourself. My goal is for therapy not only to help you cope—but to help you grow, heal, and thrive.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a safe, affirming environment where clients feel genuinely seen. Many of my clients tell me that for the first time, they feel like they don’t have to perform, hold it all together, or minimize their emotions in session. That sense of safety and acceptance is intentional—I work very hard to build trust from the beginning so that you can take off the mask and finally exhale. I bring warmth, authenticity, and deep empathy into my work. My style is compassionate but also practical. I listen deeply and validate your experiences, but I also offer insights, gentle challenges, and strategies that help you move forward. Clients often tell me they appreciate that balance—the space to be vulnerable and honest, paired with tools that make a real difference in their daily lives. I’m especially strong in working with women and young adults who have always been the “strong ones.” I understand what it’s like to feel the weight of constantly showing up for others, while inside, you’re struggling to keep yourself afloat. My strength lies in helping you see that you don’t have to carry it all alone—that you can be supported, guided, and affirmed while also learning how to support yourself in healthier ways. Another strength I bring is my ability to connect the dots between past experiences and present struggles. Many clients find it powerful when we uncover how old wounds, family dynamics, or past traumas are still impacting their relationships, self-worth, and coping patterns today. By shining light on those connections, I help clients release what no longer serves them and begin rewriting their story in a healthier, more empowering way.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

The clients I work best with are often the ones who feel like they’ve been carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders for far too long. They’re the women, young adults, and teens who have learned to function at a high level, keep everything together, and be “the strong one” for everyone else—while quietly struggling inside. On the outside, they appear confident, capable, and reliable. But inside, they often feel anxious, overwhelmed, or deeply disconnected from themselves. Many of my clients have spent years putting others’ needs before their own. They’re the ones who show up for family, friends, school, or work, but feel like they don’t have a space where they can fall apart, cry, or even admit how heavy things really feel. They are often exhausted from overthinking, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or the pressure to constantly perform. By the time they reach therapy, they’re often at a point where they know something needs to change, but they’re unsure how to begin. I work with women who are navigating life transitions—whether it’s starting college, entering adulthood, adjusting to new roles, or rediscovering themselves after a major loss or change. I also support teen girls who are balancing school pressures, identity struggles, and the overwhelming impact of social media. And I help young adults who are just beginning to realize that the patterns that once kept them safe—like shutting down, staying silent, or always putting others first—are no longer serving them. My ideal clients are those who may have learned to survive by being strong, but now want to learn how to live with authenticity, self-compassion, and peace. They are ready to stop living for others’ expectations and start reconnecting with themselves. For example, some clients come in saying, “I don’t even know who I am anymore outside of what I do for other people.” Others share that their anxiety keeps them up at night, replaying conversations, worrying about worst-case scenarios, or overanalyzing every decision. Others may be struggling with the lingering effects of trauma—old wounds from childhood, unhealthy family dynamics, or toxic relationships that continue to impact their self-worth today. If this sounds familiar, you are exactly the kind of client I love to work with. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to show up perfectly. You just have to show up. Therapy with me is about giving yourself permission to finally say, “I don’t want to carry this al