LPC/MHSP, 3 years of experience
New to Grow
Welcome—I'm glad you're here. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your experiences, work through challenges, and begin creating meaningful, lasting change. My approach is warm and solution-focused. I aim to help you gain deeper insight while also taking practical steps toward healing and growth. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, mood disorders, thought disorders, personality disorders, and the weight of daily stress. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, or trying to make sense of painful or confusing parts of yourself—you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here to walk with you, every step of the way.
🛋️ 1. Warm Welcome & Setting the Tone (5–10 minutes) You’ll likely begin by: A warm welcome and expressing genuine gratitude for their willingness to show up. Explaining your role, your approach (solution-focused, insight-oriented, nonjudgmental), and what therapy might look like. Reassuring them that the pace is theirs and that this is a safe, confidential space. “There’s no pressure to have everything figured out today—this is just a starting point, and we’ll go at a pace that feels right for you.” 🗣️ 2. Gathering The Story (20–25 minutes) You’ll explore: What brought you in now — the "presenting concern." Key emotional/mental health symptoms (e.g., anxiety, mood shifts, intrusive thoughts). Past therapy experiences (what worked, what didn’t). Any diagnosis history, medication, or major life events that feel relevant. What you’re hoping to get out of therapy (even if unsure right now). Listeng for patterns, themes, and client strengths without overwhelming you with too many questions. 🎯 3. Introduce a Collaborative Frame (10–15 minutes) Because I am solution-focused and insight-oriented, I may: Reflect back some of what I’ve heard to help you feel seen. Identify early strengths or moments of resilience. Explore small, initial goals or hopes: “If therapy were helpful for you, what might feel different in a few weeks?” Introduce the idea of values-based or skills-based work (if appropriate). 🧰 4. Offer Immediate Support or Tools (Optional) Depending on your state, I might offer: A grounding or mindfulness technique A simple framework for identifying thoughts/emotions Normalization of your experience (especially for anxiety, depression, or overwhelming stress) Even one useful takeaway can help you leave feeling more hopeful. 📅 5. Wrap-Up and Next Steps (5 minutes) Check in on how the session felt for you. Confirm interest in continuing and outline what future sessions might involve. Offer space for questions or concerns. Schedule the next session. 👥 How You Might Leave Feeling: Heard and supported Less alone in your struggles Curious (or cautiously hopeful) about the therapy process Clear on what the next step looks like.
🌱 I Create a Safe, Supportive Therapeutic Environment I make sure my clients feel seen, heard, and accepted without judgment. I strive to foster trust and emotional safety, which is especially important for those with complex trauma, personality disorders, or high emotional sensitivity. I want my clients to feel less alone in their struggles. 🧩 I Balance Insight with Action My approach is both solution-focused and insight-oriented—I help clients gain deeper understanding of themselves while also taking practical steps forward. I’m not just a listener; I am an active collaborator in their change process. I help clients move from feeling stuck to being in motion, even in short-term or crisis contexts. 🧘 I Integrate a Range of Evidence-Based Modalities I bring a diverse clinical toolkit, including: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) for strengths-based problem-solving. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients align actions with values while accepting difficult emotions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to equip clients with emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills. Experiential Therapy to help clients process emotions in deeper, non-verbal ways. Psychoeducation to empower clients through knowledge. I value clinical flexibility and grounding in multiple modalities to meet clients’ unique needs. 💡 I’m Especially Effective with Complex Presentations I feel comfortable working with clients navigating anxiety, mood disorders, thought disorders, and personality disorders—especially those who may have felt misunderstood or hopeless. I bring structure and calm to emotionally intense situations. My experience in short-term residential psychiatric settings allows me to think clearly and intervene effectively, even under pressure. 🗝️ I Value the Whole Person I see my clients as more than their symptoms or diagnoses. I hold space for ambiguity, confusion, and complexity. I help clients explore the deeper reasons behind their pain while gently guiding them toward healing and meaning. In Summary: I am a grounded, compassionate, and skillful therapist who meets clients where they are—both emotionally and clinically. I bring clarity to chaos, hope to overwhelm, and practical tools to complex emotional landscapes.
✅ Is motivated for change but feels stuck. They want to grow, heal, or move forward in life but are unsure how to begin or feel trapped in old patterns. ✅ Is open to exploring their inner world. They’re willing (even if a bit hesitant) to explore their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and past experiences in a safe, guided space. ✅ Struggles with emotional or psychological distress. They may be navigating: Anxiety or chronic worry Depression or mood instability Thought disorders or intrusive thoughts Personality disorders (e.g., BPD, avoidant traits) Daily stress that feels overwhelming or unmanageable ✅ Wants practical tools and emotional insight. They value a therapist who is both compassionate and action-oriented—someone who will listen deeply and help them take concrete steps forward. ✅ Is ready for a collaborative, nonjudgmental relationship. They may have felt misunderstood or dismissed in the past, so they’re seeking a therapist who will meet them with warmth, authenticity, and genuine support. 🧠 Psychographically: Your ideal client might be introspective, thoughtful, and maybe even hard on themselves. They're seeking clarity and healing but may not know exactly what that looks like yet—and that’s okay. They’re open to therapeutic tools like mindfulness, emotional regulation strategies, and values-based action. 🌱 In short: Your dream client is someone who is willing to show up, even if they’re unsure of the path. They’re looking for a space to be seen, heard, and supported as they work toward insight, emotional balance, and meaningful change.
Because clients often had limited time in treatment, I became skilled at focusing on what’s working, rather than what’s not, and guiding clients toward practical solutions they could begin using immediately. This setting also sharpened my ability to hold space for complex emotions while still maintaining a forward-focused, goal-oriented approach. This experience deepened my belief in the resilience of my clients and the power of brief, focused interventions to create meaningful change—even in high-stress or crisis situations.
ACT’s emphasis on psychological flexibility was especially valuable in helping clients manage intense emotions, intrusive thoughts, and distressing experiences. I regularly guided individuals through mindfulness practices, values exploration, and committed action planning—helping them reconnect with a sense of purpose even in the midst of struggle. This experience deepened my ability to help clients hold space for both pain and progress, and to empower them to take values-based actions, even when immediate circumstances couldn’t be changed.
In this setting, I regularly helped clients build skills in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. I also integrated DBT principles such as validation, radical acceptance, and the dialectic of change and acceptance into my therapeutic style. This work strengthened my ability to remain grounded and present with clients in high-emotion situations, while also helping them develop concrete tools to navigate distress, build self-awareness, and improve their relationships. My experience has shown me how powerful DBT can be in fostering stability, self-compassion, and lasting behavioral change—even in short-term treatment contexts.
psychoeducation played a central role in empowering clients to better understand their mental health and take an active role in their recovery. Given the acute nature of treatment, it was essential to provide clear, accessible information about diagnoses, symptoms, medication, and coping strategies in a way that was both compassionate and practical. I facilitated individual and group sessions focused on building awareness around emotional regulation, cognitive distortions, crisis planning, and healthy coping mechanisms. By helping clients make sense of their experiences through an educational lens, I supported their ability to reduce shame, increase self-efficacy, and make informed choices about their care.