LCSW, 4 years of experience
New to Grow
I am an individual, relational and sex therapist. Therapy is my second career and my passion. I am currently licensed in PA, DE and WI. I have a license pending in NJ and a pending certification as a certified sex therapist with the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). I am in a partnered relationship and we are married. We have a dog (Harley) and two cats (Braveheart and Smalls). We live in southwestern Chester County, PA. I am a White, cis-gender female. I use she/her pronouns. I am queer identified, Kink/BDSM identified, and non-traditional relationship identified. I offer both virtual and in-person sessions. My physical office location is in Media, PA. My dog, Harley, attends in person sessions with me. She is very friendly and loves people but also knows boundaries that are set with each client. Native land acknowledgment: The Media office and my virtual home office are located in the native land of Lenape Haki-nk (Lenni-Lenape).
Many of us have fears, preconceptions, or even no idea at all about what therapy will be like the first time we try it, whether new to therapy or starting with a different therapist. When you make your first appointment, I will ask you to fill out an intake form before your first session, as well as some other documents like a consent to treatment and beginning assessment scales (depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. if it applies). If in person - when you arrive for your appointment, you’ll just walk through our front door and make yourself comfortable in our waiting room. While you wait for your appointment, there’s a selection of magazines to look through as well as complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and water. There’s also a private, and non-gendered restroom for your use. I will then come out to get you when it is time and I'll walk you to the office (with my dog Harley - she loves this part) and settle in for the session. You can bring your coffee or tea with you if you like. The office is really just a room with comfortable seating, a desk, some shelves with some books and plants. You can sit however you want to sit. Harley may come and greet you as well and you are welcome to interact with her as much or as little as you desire. She will pick up on your queues and I will also have control of her at all times. Whether in person or virtual, we will then begin our session. I will remind you that what you talk about in session is completely confidential with a few legal and ethical exceptions, which will be explained to you (and which are outlined in our consent to treatment document). If you have any questions about those policies, you’re absolutely encouraged to ask! I will also discuss other policies (cancellation, payment, session length, scheduling, or other ‘frequently asked questions’). This all only takes a few minutes. Then, depending on the level of crisis that you’re currently experiencing, I might review with you my particular style of therapy, discuss your intake form with you, begin a more thorough assessment of your history, or just ask you what brings you here today. From there on, it’s a conversation and there are no right or wrong things for you to say — I only ask that you try to be as honest as possible. I will have my computer out for taking notes. These notes are entirely confidential unless you consent to their release (or if I am court-ordered by a judge to provide the notes), and they are kept under substantial protection - HIP
My therapeutic style encompasses humor, self-disclosure, compassion, and empathy. I feel that honesty and authenticity are important. I feel that we are all ever-evolving through learning and growing. I have a dual degree in social work and education in human sexuality studies which sets me apart from many of my therapist colleagues. I'm comfortable talking about everything that you want to share, while listening with curiosity and compassion. I enjoy feedback from my clients as our therapeutic relationship is vital and the basis for great work to be achieved. I know realizing that you need help or additional support is a huge step. Life can be difficult, but you do not need to tackle everything on your own. Let me help you in your journey called life.
I work with adult (18+) individuals, partnerships, couples, and multiple partnerships. I will work in collaboration with you to find ways to manage challenges that may arise and cause distress by helping you to set realistic goals and to create steps to achieve those goals, all while allowing you to find empowerment in those actions, bringing hope to tough situations, and enhancing your strengths and resiliency. My therapy approach is catered to you in what is called an integrated therapeutic approach. This means that I use various theories and models in session so that I can create unique treatment plan and interventions with you. Some theories that inform my work include (but are not limited to): Internal Family Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Attachment, Solution-Focused, Narrative, and the Gottman Method. I work with a variety of populations & topics. My areas of Interest (but not exhaustive): alternative sexualities (kink, BDSM, swinging); LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Aromantic); non-traditional relationship styles like polyamory & ethical/consensual non-monogamy); intimacy issues; sexual pain; sexual challenges (dysfunction); affirmative consent; anxiety, depression, anger, shame; toxic masculinity; self-esteem, self-worth, self-confidence, body image; grief and loss (non-death, death, dying, bereavement); hospice support; Veterans; and Women's Issues.
I am Level 2 trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS). Level 1 was for work with individual clients and Level 2 for partnerships. I actively seek training in IFS. I am passionate about my work with IFS. In my practice, I can use IFS as you would like it used. We can discuss parts work or follow specific protocols, or a combination of both. I find IFS is a tool that can be used for most populations and concerns.
Sex therapy is a type of talk therapy that helps with concerns about sex, intimacy, and sexual well-being. It addresses a wide range of issues, such as low libido, pain during sex, or sexual trauma, and it can be helpful for individuals and partners seeking to improve communication and satisfaction. Sex therapy does not involve physical contact and uses techniques like education and behavioral exercises.
I call this partnership counseling as well. I have worked with and continue to work with multiple partner relationships. I use a variety of methods like Internal Family Systems and the Gottman Method.
I use CBT principles to identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, focusing on your ability to challenge negative thinking, develop coping skills, and improve problem-solving in challenging situations
DBT focuses on the four core skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In DBT, I practice and teach mindfulness to stay present, distress tolerance to get through tough times without making them worse, emotion regulation to handle intense feelings, and interpersonal effectiveness to communicate more clearly and with self-respect.