Get to know me

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

🌿 What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session Starting therapy is a courageous step. If you’ve scheduled your first appointment, you’ve already taken an important step toward healing and growth. Here’s what you can expect in your first session (the intake session): 🛋️ A Safe Space My top priority is to create a safe, supportive, and judgment-free space. You decide what to share and at what pace. This is about you—your story, your challenges, and your goals. 📑 Paperwork & Policies We’ll review your consent forms, confidentiality, and practice policies. I’ll answer any questions you may have about privacy, scheduling, fees, or communication. 🗣️ Sharing Your Story I’ll ask questions to get to know you, such as: What brought you to therapy? Your background, relationships, and support systems. How do you currently cope with stress or challenges? Any previous treatment or mental health history. 🎯 Setting Goals We’ll talk about what you hope to achieve in therapy. Goals can be clear (e.g., reduce anxiety) or general (e.g., “feel better”). These goals guide our work together. 🧩 What Therapy Looks Like Intake is structured, but future sessions will be more flexible. We’ll use approaches tailored to your needs (like CBT, mindfulness, or trauma-informed strategies). Therapy is a process—change takes time, but each session builds toward healing. 💡 Tips for Your First Session: Come as you are. There’s no “right” way to start. Take notes if that helps you. Give yourself space afterward. Therapy can bring up emotions—plan some gentle self-care. 🌱 Remember The first session is about laying a foundation, not solving everything at once. Therapy is a partnership—we’ll walk this journey together. Starting therapy is not weakness—it’s strength.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My Therapeutic Approach and What Makes It Unique As a licensed professional counselor in mental health with a Doctorate in Prevention Science, my therapeutic approach is grounded in both clinical expertise and compassionate care. I believe that healing happens when science meets humanity—when people are seen not just as clients, but as whole individuals with complex stories, emotions, and untapped strength. I specialize in helping people navigate trauma, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. My work is guided by a trauma-informed, client-centered framework, which prioritizes safety, trust, and collaboration. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all method. Instead, I tailor each session to meet you where you are emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Evidence-Based, Compassion-Driven Care I draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and psychoeducation to help clients understand their thoughts, process their pain, and develop practical strategies for change. These tools enable us to examine how past experiences influence current patterns—and, more importantly, how to break those patterns and establish healthier ones. My background in Prevention Science makes my work especially unique. This advanced training equips me to not only address existing challenges but also to help prevent further emotional harm by strengthening your resilience and mental health from the inside out. What Sets Me Apart 1. Science with Soul Many therapists are trained in evidence-based practices, but my doctorate allows me to dive deeper into the “why” behind behavior and emotion. I combine this scientific knowledge with deep empathy and cultural sensitivity, offering you care that’s both grounded and relatable. 2. Lived Experience I bring not just professional training, but also lived Experience. As someone who has walked through trauma, single motherhood, and significant life transitions, I understand what it means to feel overwhelmed while trying to keep going. My journey allows me to sit with yours, without judgment, with genuine care. 3. The RISE Method A cornerstone of my work is the **RISE Method**—Recognize, Identify, Strategize, and Elevate. This approach helps clients: Recognize what’s happening internally and externally, Identify the root of distress and patterns that no longer serve them, Strategize practical, personalized coping tools, and Elevate to a place of emotional clarity and renewed purpose. It’s a step-by-step

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I am best positioned to serve individuals who are ready to break free from the weight of trauma, navigate depression, and manage the emotional impact of significant life transitions. My ideal clients are often high-functioning yet overwhelmed, silently carrying emotional burdens that have begun to affect their relationships, self-worth, and overall sense of peace. Many have spent years “pushing through” or being the strong one for everyone else, but are now recognizing the toll this has taken on their mental health. I work best with adults who are open to self-reflection, willing to engage in the healing process, and ready to reclaim control over their lives. Whether they are dealing with unresolved childhood trauma, the grief of a significant loss, the burnout of caregiving, or the disorientation that comes with divorce, career change, or identity shifts, these individuals are not broken—they are burdened. And they’re ready for a safe, supportive space to process and release what they’ve been holding inside. Many of the clients I serve come into therapy feeling stuck in cycles of negative thinking, emotional numbness, or constant anxiety. They may be wrestling with feelings of guilt, shame, or self-doubt, unsure of how to move forward but aware that something needs to change. My work is grounded in helping them recognize harmful patterns, make sense of their experiences, and build new narratives rooted in truth, self-compassion, and resilience. I also support individuals who are goal-oriented and value structure in the therapeutic process. These clients benefit from the practical tools and strategies I offer through evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and psychoeducation. They are often drawn to my style because it combines clinical expertise with empathy, clear guidance, and a nonjudgmental, affirming presence. If your goals include gaining insight into your emotional responses, building healthy coping mechanisms, setting boundaries, or rediscovering your sense of purpose after adversity, you are in the right place. I honor the courage it takes to begin therapy and believe that healing is not only possible but within reach. Together, we can work to help you rise from what’s been holding you back, rediscover your voice, and create lasting change.

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