LCSW, 25 years of experience
New to Grow
I have been married for 28 years, and am a mom to a large family. I have nearly 3 decades of experience with parenting, relationships, and working with individuals, couples, and families. My belief is that as a therapist, you can change the world, one soul at a time. I am passionate about helping my clients find their best selves so that they create healthier relationships with all those with whom they interact. I have always loved listening to and helping my friends since I was a child, and feel grateful to use that gift to support my clients.
In the first session, I will ask a lot of questions about the presenting issue, and will take the client back in time to share a lot of how they experienced the world in their earlier years. It will be a casual and comfortable conversation, with lots of validation, and many moments of introspection, insight, and a healthy dose of humor.
As a person, I have always been a "listener" and naturally have a lot of empathy for others. This allows me to approach all my clients from a curious and non-judgmental stance. I truly love people and want to know them and help them understand themselves better.
I love to work with motivated clients who have hit any sort of bump in the road, such as a relationship concern, feeling sad and worried, processing past traumas, or simply desiring self-improvement. I support clients through their life transitions, grief and loss, and life celebrations. Through the IFS lens, I believe in showing clients that they are capable, worthy, and can heal themselves - with some guidance from a caring mentor.
I've had training and experience in Internal Family Systems over the past 10 years, and use it as my lens for the human experience. It's non-pathologizing and empowering - it helps clients see themselves as self-loving and creates a backdrop for self-leadership.
Attachment is a key to relationship success - and I explain and show clients how early attachment affects our security in relationships. Withdrawal or aggression in relationships is often a sign of insecure attachment. A healthy therapeutic relationship sets the stage for other healthy relationships.
Our thoughts and beliefs that we were raised with shape our behaviors. I illustrate to clients how this can benefit or challenge us. We explore where some core beliefs may have originated, and learn to acknowledge those beliefs and understand them, before we try to simply change them.