LPC, 21 years of experience
Are you holding it all together on the outside, but running on empty inside? I have over 20 years of experience walking alongside people navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, and life transitions. My work has woven through community mental health and primary care behavioral health, deepening my belief that healing isn’t just about talking—it’s about reconnecting with your whole self. My approach is holistic and down-to-earth. I blend cognitive tools from REBT and ACT with mindfulness and somatic practices like EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). You might find yourself gently challenging old thought patterns one moment, and learning to ground through your breath or body the next. Every part of you is welcome in the room. I’m not a blank slate therapist. I show up as a real person—warm, intuitive, and yes, I sometimes curse. I also give homework, like ABCDE journaling, to help you carry the work into your life between sessions. Therapy with me is collaborative and active—we’re not just talking about change; we’re working toward it. Most of all, I want you to feel safe, seen, and supported. Whether you’re overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready for something to shift, I’m here to walk alongside you—without judgment, and at your pace. Please note: I’m only able to work with clients who are physically located in Virginia at the time of sessions.
In our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know one another. I’ll invite you to share the parts of your story that feel most important in bringing you here—and you’re welcome to ask me questions, too. If you’ve worked with a therapist before, we’ll talk about what helped (and what didn’t), so we can tailor your experience moving forward. You can expect a calm, supportive space with no pressure to dive deeper than you’re ready for. I’ll introduce how integrative therapy works and explore what approaches may be most helpful for what you’re navigating. I may also offer a simple grounding tool or reflective journaling practice to take with you. My goal is for you to leave that first session feeling seen, a little more centered, and hopeful about the work ahead.
My greatest strength lies in creating a space where people feel seen, grounded, and safe to do the deeper work. I bring a calm, intuitive presence and a practical, action-oriented style. I blend cognitive approaches like REBT and ACT with mindfulness, somatic tools like EFT, and nervous system education to help you reconnect with yourself in meaningful ways. I don’t just sit back and nod—I engage, challenge when needed, and offer real tools to use outside of sessions. Clients often tell me they leave feeling more self-aware, more equipped to handle stress, and more connected to their values. I believe change happens when insight meets action—so I support both.
I love working with individuals who are goal-oriented and open to learning new skills and perspectives. Whether you naturally bring a curious, non-judgmental mindset—or you’re hoping to develop those qualities—I enjoy helping people create a more intentional, values-aligned approach to life. My ideal clients are ready to take an active role in their growth and are seeking practical tools that support real change. Many come to me feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or burned out—wanting to quiet the mental noise, sleep better, or reconnect with what matters. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just a willingness to show up, be real, and stay open to the process.
For over 10 years I have used techniques of REBT to help my clients improve self-awareness & emotional regulation using a direct & philosophical approach. We'll use REBT to help you examine & challenge your current unhelpful & self-defeating thinking patterns, which create distress. We then work to replace these thoughts & beliefs with more balanced and self-supportive thoughts.
I love using ACT and teaching the skills of mindfulness for the past 7 years to help my clients make sometimes a radical shift in their relationship with their inner experience(s). I'll teach you how to create space for your thoughts, emotions & sensations, all parts of our private experience, so that you can begin letting go of painful beliefs, etc. that hinder your desired changes too.
CBT is at core of my work as I do strongly believe that small intentional habits create the groundwork for overall well-being. For clients wanting a practical approach to counseling to help them move toward achieving their goals, I find using CBT to be helpful in teaching skills that will help change their thinking and behavior for lasting improvements in overall well-being.
I've used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) to help many individuals address the thoughts, behaviors, and habits that contribute to sleep difficulties. It is like a personalized sleep makeover! Instead of just focusing on sleep medications, I can help you understand and change the thoughts and behaviors that might be keeping you awake.
I was introduced to the Emotional Freedom Technique, commonly known as "Tapping," at a workshop in December 2019 but recently my interest has returned with zest to this meridian therapy technique that uses acupressure (no needles!) to desensitize your emotions and physical upset. Although it's considered "cutting-edge" in the United States, it's been used for 2-5,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Published research shows that this technique cuts cortisol, the primary stress hormone, 24% after just 20 minutes of use!