Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) based in Pennsylvania. I received my PhD from Widener University in Pennsylvania and my Masters from Radford University in Virginia. I have been practicing in for 16 years and specialize in substance use treatment with a focus on pregnant and parenting women. It is through my time in the field that I have seen my passion lies in supporting not only people struggling with substance use but also their families and loved ones.
I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment that will allow for you to feel comfortable addressing the reasons you are seeking therapy. The first session is an opportunity for you to get to know me, my style, and what to expect with our time together and for me to get to know you. Together we will identify your challenges and goals.
Having over 15 years of experience in the field, I have seen the value of active listening and empathy and strive to utilize them in session. Additionally, with the use of multiple therapeutic modalities, I have been able to utilize flexibility adapting to different approaches to meet your needs.
I use motivational interviewing to make sure that our work together is collaborative and you are the one directing the conversation. Motivational interviewing is mostly used in my work around addiction and addictive behaviors.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to help you identify how your thoughts, feelings and behaviors are connected. It is based on the idea that negative thoughts lead to distress and unwanted behaviors. It is mostly used with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction/addictive behaviors.
DBT is a cognitive-behavioral treatment that has been adapted over the years to be used for various mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, PTDS, and addiction/addictive behaviors.
Grief is natural and yet extremely personal to each individual. Grief therapy allows us to focus on acknowledging and validating emotions, exploring emotions, and identifying coping strategies in a way that is non-judgmental.
Coming from a trauma informed care practice, I recognize that impact of trauma is widespread and allows me to bring sensitivity and understanding into therapy. It helps create safety, transparency, and empowerment no matter what the trauma experience is.