New to Grow
Hello! I am glad you are here. I am a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) who has worked with youth, families, and adults in multicultural settings for a nearly a decade. I find joy in accompanying individuals on their paths of self-discovery, personal growth and understanding. I specialize in crisis stabilization, stress management and grief, although I will identify specific needs with you to determine how to work with your current needs. The therapeutic modalities and interventions I use during our sessions together are based on fostering an environment that allows you to feel safe to recognize current patterns and develop patterns that bring you healing.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session together is always a 60 to 90-minute biopsychosocial intake assessment to ensure I have a comprehensive understanding of your history and current needs to inform diagnosis and clinical goals. This assessment is not to pepper you with questions, but to understand how you see important events of your life, and how these events influence who you are today. We will discuss a provisional diagnosis at the completion of the intake assessment and develop a preliminary treatment plan based on your goals. My intention in this process is for you to be an active participant in shaping your time in therapy. I primarily utilize the following modalities to inform our work together: CBT, TF-CBT, DBT techniques, and ACT. Depending on your clinical needs and preferred approach toward therapy, we will integrate attachment lenses, somatic work, and narrative techniques into our work together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My experiences working with diverse populations shapes my therapeutic approaches. My journey toward clinical social work began as a health education officer for 3.5 years in Peace Corps, where I observed that healthier individuals and communities emerged from connection to self, to others, and to community. Throughout my career, I have worked in direct service and in clinical leadership with youth and families in crisis, with immigrant and refugee communities, and with Native communities, and I emphasize integrating cultural norms into therapeutic spaces.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I do not assign homework; however, I may occasionally encourage you to integrate an intervention we have practiced together into your daily routines if therapeutically beneficial. I hope that you come away from our sessions having had a place to express and process your needs, feelings and reflections. Ideally, you will leave our weekly or biweekly shared space with individualized skills or thoughts that guide you in your therapeutic goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I primarily utilize CBT and TF-CBT when working with individuals to develop coping skills, and to support individuals in recognizing the relationship between personal beliefs and actions we take as a result of these beliefs. When I utilize CBT, I do not solely take a talk-therapy approach. I integrate mindfulness techniques into the beginning of sessions and utilize motivational interviewing to allow us to discover core beliefs and work together toward reframing healthier thoughts and patterns.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I primarily utilize ACT for grief work, life transitions (including grief), and conflict.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I primarily utilize DBT techniques for crisis intervention work, suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, and understanding conflict styles.