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

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it’s completely normal to feel a mix of curiosity, hope, and maybe even a little nervousness about your first session. My goal is to make your first appointment a welcoming space where you feel heard, understood, and supported from the very beginning. This session is an important foundation for the work we’ll do together, giving us the chance to understand not only what brought you to therapy but also how different aspects of your life may be influencing your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and overall well-being. During your first session, we’ll have a complete intake conversation. This is more than filling out forms—it’s an opportunity for me to get a full picture of your life. We’ll talk about your mental health history, physical health, relationships, family background, work or school experiences, and major life events. I’ll ask about your current symptoms, behaviors, and challenges, and how these affect your daily life. By exploring all of these areas, we can see the connections between different parts of your life that may be contributing to stress, anxiety, depression, or other struggles. A full intake session also allows you to share your goals for therapy. I want to understand what changes are most important to you—whether it’s managing anxiety, healing from trauma, improving relationships, coping with grief, or building confidence and resilience. Together, we’ll create a plan that is tailored to your needs and aligns with your vision for growth and healing. I’ll also explain how therapy works and what my approach looks like. I integrate evidence-based methods such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other modalities that fit your unique situation. Knowing how therapy works and what to expect helps you feel more comfortable and confident as we start our work together. Equally important is building trust and rapport. Therapy is most effective when you feel safe and understood. I strive to create a warm, non-judgmental environment where you can speak openly about your experiences. The first session is a time to establish that sense of safety so you can feel confident sharing in future sessions. We’ll also look at your strengths and coping skills, not just the challenges. Recognizing your resilience and the strategies that already help you navigate life is a key part of therapy. It allows us to build on what works while addressing areas where support is needed. If there are immediate concerns or crises, we’ll address those right away. Your safety and well-being are always my top priority. We’ll also cover practical details, like session structure, frequency, scheduling, and policies, so you can focus fully on your experience in therapy without distractions. By the end of your first session, you’ll have a clear understanding of what therapy will look like, what areas we’ll focus on, and how we’ll work together to reach your goals. Most importantly, you’ll have had the chance to explore how different parts of your life—relationships, work, family, health, and past experiences—may be impacting your current challenges. This understanding allows us to create a therapy plan that is practical, personalized, and meaningful. Your first session is about more than just identifying symptoms—it’s about seeing the whole picture of your life, understanding the patterns that shape your experiences, and beginning a journey toward healing and growth. My hope is that you leave feeling heard, understood, and confident about taking the next steps toward meaningful change and personal well-being.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

What stands out about my therapeutic approach is that it is active, collaborative, and tailored to each individual. I combine over a decade of clinical experience with extensive education and training, along with creativity and a sense of humor, to create a counseling experience that is both effective and approachable. My goal is to meet clients where they are, offering a down-to-earth and realistic approach to therapy that acknowledges life’s challenges while also emphasizing growth, resilience, and personal strengths. I believe that therapy is most effective when it addresses the whole person. That’s why I take a multi-dimensional approach, exploring not only your emotional and psychological needs but also biological, social, and spiritual factors that impact your overall well-being. For example, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain rarely exist in isolation—they are influenced by physical health, relationships, work or school stress, family dynamics, and your personal values or beliefs. By taking this comprehensive view, we can identify patterns, triggers, and strengths, which allows us to create solutions that are practical, meaningful, and sustainable. My approach is evidence-based, drawing from a variety of proven therapeutic modalities tailored to your unique situation. While the specific techniques we use will depend on your goals and needs, I focus on interventions that have demonstrated effectiveness for anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship challenges, and chronic pain. This ensures that our work together is grounded in research while remaining flexible and personalized. I am an active therapist, meaning that I do not take a passive approach where I only listen. Instead, I engage with you in ways that challenge, guide, and support your growth. We explore thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses together, experimenting with strategies that help you build skills, gain insight, and take practical steps toward change. I also integrate creativity and humor into sessions where appropriate, which helps reduce anxiety, encourages openness, and fosters a sense of connection and safety. Another key aspect of my approach is the emphasis on realistic, achievable progress. Therapy is not about quick fixes or unrealistic expectations; it’s about making meaningful change that fits your life. We work together to set goals that are attainable and measurable, and we continuously evaluate what is working and what may need adjustment. This practical approach ensures that clients not only gain insight but also develop tangible skills to manage challenges in their day-to-day life. One of the results clients frequently note about this approach is that they feel seen, understood, and empowered. By combining compassion, active engagement, and evidence-based methods, I help clients develop tools to manage anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, or chronic pain. Clients often report increased confidence in their ability to cope with life’s challenges, stronger relationships, improved emotional regulation, and a clearer sense of purpose and personal growth. In addition, addressing multiple dimensions of well-being—biological, psychological, social, and spiritual—helps clients gain a more integrated sense of self. This holistic focus often leads to longer-lasting results because it strengthens resilience across multiple areas of life, not just symptom reduction. Rather than focusing solely on what is “wrong,” we also explore what is working, what brings meaning, and what personal resources you can draw upon. Ultimately, what sets my therapeutic approach apart is the combination of experience, education, creativity, humor, and active engagement with a realistic, practical perspective. Therapy with me is a collaborative journey where you are an active participant in understanding yourself, addressing challenges, and creating meaningful change. By integrating evidence-based methods, exploring multiple dimensions of life, and fostering a supportive, down-to-earth environment, clients are able to experience measurable growth, increased self-awareness, and enhanced overall well-being. In short, my approach is about working together to create real, lasting change. It is active, holistic, evidence-based, and personalized, designed to help clients not just manage life’s difficulties but also develop resilience, confidence, and a sense of fulfillment. Whether you are facing anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or chronic pain, my goal is to provide a space where you feel supported, understood, and equipped to navigate life’s challenges with strength, insight, and hope.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Life is unpredictable, fast-moving, and often complicated. Many of us experience moments where we feel lost, hurt, lonely, confused, anxious, or depressed. We may struggle with physical symptoms that have no clear medical explanation, or worry endlessly about our health, diagnoses, or what the future may hold. If any of these experiences resonate with you, therapy can offer support, insight, and tools to navigate life’s challenges—and I am here to help you through that process. I am best positioned to serve individuals who are feeling overwhelmed by the demands and uncertainties of life, whether those challenges are emotional, relational, or physical. My clients often arrive in therapy feeling stuck, anxious, or unsure about their next steps, seeking guidance to better understand themselves and their circumstances. They may be experiencing ongoing stress, persistent anxiety, depression, or chronic pain, and they are looking for strategies to cope, manage, and regain a sense of control. I also work with individuals who are grappling with existential questions, life transitions, or feelings of disconnection and loneliness. My approach is particularly helpful for clients who are ready to explore the connections between mind, body, and life circumstances. Many people struggle with symptoms that seem disconnected from their emotional or psychological state—for instance, chronic pain without a medical explanation, digestive issues, or persistent fatigue. These experiences are real and impactful, and I help clients understand how stress, trauma, anxiety, and other emotional factors can influence physical sensations and overall well-being. Together, we explore these interactions in a safe, non-judgmental way, integrating insights from biological, psychological, social, and spiritual perspectives. I am also well-positioned to serve clients who seek a compassionate and non-judgmental space to express themselves. Many people come to therapy feeling misunderstood, dismissed, or alone in their struggles. In our sessions, you will have the freedom to share your thoughts, feelings, fears, and questions openly, without concern for judgment. All of your emotions—whether they are sadness, anger, confusion, or fear—are valid and welcome here. This is a space where curiosity and compassion guide the process, and where understanding yourself more deeply becomes the foundation for meaningful growth. My ideal clients are those who are ready to engage in self-exploration and personal growth, even if they feel uncertain or hesitant about therapy. You don’t have to have all the answers or a clear idea of what therapy will look like for you. Often, the first step is simply acknowledging that something feels off or that life is harder than it should be, and deciding to seek support. From there, we work together to uncover patterns, address obstacles, and develop practical strategies that help you cope with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, and other life concerns. Clients I serve are often looking for clarity, connection, and actionable strategies. Many come with goals such as reducing anxiety, improving mood, managing chronic stress, addressing unresolved grief, or healing from past trauma. Others want support navigating relationships, making life transitions, or finding meaning and purpose amidst uncertainty. My role is to meet you where you are and guide you in building the insight, skills, and confidence to handle challenges both inside and outside of therapy. I am particularly effective for individuals who value a holistic, multidimensional approach to therapy. Life challenges rarely exist in isolation—they are influenced by our biology, emotions, relationships, environment, and spiritual beliefs. By exploring all of these dimensions, we can identify the root causes of your struggles and develop strategies that are both practical and deeply personalized. This approach is especially helpful for people who have tried other forms of support without lasting relief, or who want therapy that addresses the full spectrum of their experiences rather than just surface-level symptoms. Another group of clients I serve well includes those who are dealing with unexplained physical pain, health anxiety, or somatic symptoms. Many people live with physical discomfort that cannot be fully explained by medical testing. These symptoms can create ongoing stress, frustration, and worry. I work with clients to explore how emotional, psychological, and social factors may contribute to these experiences, while also providing validation, coping strategies, and a path toward better self-understanding and relief. Clients who benefit most from my work are also those who value a warm, approachable, and realistic therapeutic relationship. I combine experience, education, and evidence-based methods with creativity, humor, and a down-to-earth style. This allows clients to feel safe while engaging in meaningful exploration and growth. You do not have to face your challenges alone, and together we will work in a way that is practical, compassionate, and tailored to your life and goals. Ultimately, I am best positioned to serve clients who are looking for a supportive and accepting space to navigate life’s uncertainties, heal from emotional or physical pain, and build resilience. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, chronic pain, relationship difficulties, or the pressures of modern life, my goal is to help you feel understood, empowered, and equipped to face challenges with clarity and confidence. If you are ready to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe, non-judgmental space—if you are seeking insight, relief, and practical strategies for coping with life’s unpredictability—then you are in the right place. My practice is here to help you navigate the complexities of life with compassion, understanding, and support. Together, we will create a personalized path toward emotional well-being, resilience, and meaningful personal growth.