(she/her)
New to Grow
My journey to becoming a therapist was deeply personal. For a long time, I struggled to find my true meaning and purpose on this earth. That changed entirely when I began working with individuals with cognitive disabilities. Witnessing their resilience and realizing that I could make a tangible, positive impact in someone’s life gave me a profound motivation to live and thrive. It sparked a passion for human connection that shapes everything I do today. I believe that the most impactful therapy starts with a genuine, down-to-earth connection. As a LMFT, my approach is less about being a rigid mentor and more about being a trusted, supportive collaborator. I strive to create a warm, non-judgmental space where you feel heard, understood, and truly comfortable—much like talking with a close friend who has the professional tools to help you navigate life's challenges. I specialize in working with teens, young adults, and individuals in their 20s and 30s who are navigating life transitions, relationship dynamics, and identity development. Additionally, I bring a unique and deeply patient perspective to my practice as the founder of a company that specializes in relationship training for individuals with cognitive disabilities. This background has honed my ability to meet clients exactly where they are, offering exceptional patience, tailored communication, and practical tools for building healthy connections. Whether you are working through personal growth, relationship hurdles, or everyday stress, we will work together at a pace that feels right for you.
Walking into a first therapy session takes immense courage, and it is completely normal to feel a mix of anticipation and nerves. Because I value your vulnerability, I believe in absolute transparency. I want you to know upfront that our very first session will feel quite different from our regular therapy sessions moving forward. Realistically, the first session is an intake and information-gathering meeting. It is a structured, pressure-free space designed to help me understand your history, map out your needs, and see if we are a good fit for a therapeutic team. The first few minutes are all about shedding the stress of your day. We will quickly handle brief housekeeping items—like verifying paperwork and reviewing standard confidentiality rules—so you know exactly how your privacy is protected. Once the formalities are out of the way, we will transition into our conversation. I take a down-to-earth approach, meaning that even though this session is structured, it will still feel like a collaborative dialogue rather than a cold interrogation. Because this is an initial evaluation, the core of our first 50 minutes will involve me asking a variety of questions to get a complete picture of who you are. I work with individuals aged 6 to 40 and families with minors, so these questions adapt completely to who is in the room. Some of these questions will pertain directly to what brought you into therapy today, while others might feel a bit more random or unrelated to your immediate concerns. We will cover a broad range of topics, including your current symptoms, daily routine, personal history, and past support systems. My role is to listen with immense patience and zero judgment as we gather these pieces of your puzzle. You are always in control, and you are invited to share only what you feel comfortable with.
The biggest strength I bring to our sessions is a deep, unwavering patience wrapped in a completely down-to-earth, conversational style. I treat therapy less like a rigid clinical lecture and more like a collaborative partnership. I know how heavy and isolating it can feel to be stuck or navigating a major life shift, so I intentionally build an environment that feels relaxed, warm, and entirely free of pressure. My approach stands out because of the way I balance genuine comfort with active, practical tool-building. Here is why that combination makes a difference: I don't sit silently with a clipboard making mysterious notes. You are the absolute expert on your own life, and I am the expert on clinical tools. We function as a team, meeting you exactly where you are and moving entirely at your unique pace. By combining Internal Family Systems (IFS) and psychoeducation, I help you understand the why behind your feelings—like realizing a part of you is just trying to protect you from stress. Once we take away the shame, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to build concrete, real-world strategies. I excel at taking massive, intimidating life or relationship challenges and breaking them down into small, manageable, everyday steps. Ultimately, my approach stands out because it treats you like a whole person, not a diagnosis. You get a low-stress, patient space to heal, coupled with the exact structure and practical everyday tools you need to find your motivation and truly thrive.
I am best positioned to serve individuals aged 6 to 40, as well as families with minors, who are navigating life transitions, relationship hurdles, or feeling disconnected from their sense of purpose. My practice is an ideal fit for children, teens, and adults who find themselves feeling overwhelmed or stuck when trying to balance academic, social, or career pressures. Often, the individuals and families I work with are looking to repair communication friction, set healthier boundaries, or help a child develop strong, everyday coping tools. You don't need to have everything figured out to start; my ideal clients are simply looking for a patient, zero-pressure environment where they can move at their own unique pace. Together as a collaborative team, we will break down overwhelming life challenges into manageable steps, focusing on building the practical, real-world strategies you need to find your motivation and truly thrive.
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Once we understand your inner parts, we use CBT as our action plan. Together as a team, we look at the daily thoughts and habits that might be holding you back. We then build practical, manageable steps to reframe those thoughts and change the behaviors that no longer serve you.
Psychoeducation
Knowledge is power. I start by sharing clear, practical insights about how the brain, stress, and emotions work. Understanding the why behind what you are feeling takes away the shame and helps you realize you aren't broken—your mind is just trying to protect you.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
We all have different "parts" of ourselves—like the part that feels stuck, the part that is highly self-critical, or the part that wants to people-please. Instead of fighting these feelings, we look at them with immense patience and curiosity to understand what they need, helping you feel more aligned and at peace inside.