New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is passionate about supporting individuals navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional distress. I specialize in working with clients healing from trauma, including intimate partner violence, as well as those struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, and grief. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen and heard. I understand that healing is not linear, and I meet each client where they are. Together, we work to build insight, strengthen coping skills, and reconnect you with your sense of self, confidence, and overall emotional well-being.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, and it’s completely normal to have a mix of emotions, whether that’s anxiety, uncertainty, or even hope. In our first session, my priority is to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel comfortable being yourself. We will begin by talking about what brought you to therapy and what you are currently experiencing. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you feel ready to- there is no pressure to go into everything all at once. I may ask some questions about your background, relationships, and past experiences to better understand your story and how your experiences may be impacting you today. We will also explore what you would like to gain from therapy. Whether your goals are to heal from past trauma, improve your relationships, build self-confidence, process grief, or simply feel more like yourself again, we will begin identifying areas of focus together. If you’re unsure about your goals, that’s okay too, part of our work is helping you gain clarity. My approach is collaborative, meaning we work together as a team. I will meet you where you are, while also gently challenging patterns that may no longer serve you. I often integrate practical tools and reflective exercises to help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while also building skills you can use outside of sessions. For clients who have experienced trauma or unhealthy relationships, I am especially mindful of creating a space where you feel in control. You will never be pushed to discuss anything before you are ready. We will move at a pace that feels safe and supportive for you. The first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of whether I am the right fit for you. You are encouraged to ask questions about my approach, the therapy process, or anything else that may help you feel more comfortable. By the end of our session, we will have a better understanding of your needs and begin to outline next steps. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, supported, and a little more at ease about the process moving forward.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a space where clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood. I balance warmth and empathy with directness, allowing me to both support and gently challenge my clients in ways that promote meaningful growth. Clients often share that they feel comfortable opening up with me, while also appreciating my ability to provide honest, thoughtful feedback. I have a strong ability to help clients make connections between their past experiences and current patterns, particularly in the areas of relationships, self-worth, and decision-making. I specialize in working with individuals who are healing from emotional or intimate partner violence, and I understand how these experiences can impact confidence, boundaries, and the ability to trust oneself. My approach is both insight-oriented and practical. I don’t just help clients process their experiences, I also provide tools and strategies they can apply in their daily lives. I am especially skilled at helping clients challenge self-blame, break unhealthy cycles, and rebuild a stronger sense of self. I also bring cultural awareness and intentionality into my work, particularly when supporting Black women navigating complex personal and relational challenges. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe showing up fully as themselves without fear of judgment. Overall, my goal is to help clients feel more empowered, self-aware, and confident in their ability to make decisions that align with the life they want to create.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to support individuals—particularly Black women—who are navigating relationship challenges, healing from emotional or intimate partner violence, and working to rebuild their sense of self. My ideal clients may struggle with self-doubt, people-pleasing, difficulty trusting themselves, or patterns of remaining in unhealthy relationships. They may feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from who they once were. While change can feel uncomfortable, they are open to growth and ready to begin prioritizing themselves. Together, we focus on breaking unhealthy cycles, building confidence, strengthening decision-making, and creating healthier, more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, self-blame, trauma responses, and relationship distress. Much of my work involves supporting clients who have internalized harmful beliefs due to emotionally abusive or invalidating relationships. I help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns such as self-blame, catastrophizing, or all-or-nothing thinking. Together, we examine the evidence behind those thoughts and develop healthier, more balanced alternatives. I also integrate behavioral strategies such as exposure to avoided situations, mood tracking, and skill-building exercises. My goal is to help clients shift from automatic negative thinking to empowered, intentional responses.
Trauma Informed Care
My work is grounded in a trauma-informed framework, particularly with survivors of intimate partner violence, emotional abuse, and childhood trauma. I understand how trauma impacts the nervous system, attachment patterns, decision-making, and self-worth. I prioritize safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in every session. I help clients understand how past trauma may influence present behaviors (such as hypervigilance, people-pleasing, or difficulty trusting themselves). We focus on nervous system regulation, identifying triggers, rebuilding a sense of control, and developing healthy boundaries. I move at the client’s pace and ensure therapy never feels re-traumatizing.
Grief Therapy
I work with clients experiencing grief related to the loss of loved ones, the end of relationships, complicated family dynamics, life transitions, and identity shifts. I understand that grief is not limited to death — it can also include the loss of safety, trust, dreams, or the version of life someone thought they would have. In sessions, I help clients process emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, and confusion without judgment. We explore how grief shows up in the body, thoughts, and behaviors. I normalize the non-linear nature of grief and support clients in honoring their loss while also rebuilding meaning, identity, and hope. I integrate reflection exercises, narrative processing, and coping tools to help clients move forward at their own pace without feeling rushed or minimized.
Strength-Based
As a clinician who works primarily with Black women and young adults navigating life transitions, grief, and relational stress, I intentionally center strengths-based work. Many of my clients enter therapy feeling broken, exhausted, or defeated. I help clients reconnect with their resilience, cultural strengths, survival skills, and personal values. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I highlight growth, courage, and progress. We identify internal and external resources that support healing and create practical, achievable goals that reinforce self-efficacy and confidence.