(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I'm Essence, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, mother, doula, and owner of HER Healing. I understand the realities of juggling life's many responsibilities while trying to care for yourself in the process. Clients often describe me as warm, relatable, and supportive. I create a space where you can feel heard, gain clarity, and work toward meaningful, lasting change. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and focused on helping women find balance, healing, and sustainable wellness. I believe therapy should be both supportive and practical, providing a space to process life's challenges while developing tools that can be applied in everyday life. Whether you're navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, motherhood, relationship concerns, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of life, I strive to meet you where you are and support you at a pace that feels right for you. Together, we'll build on your strengths, explore the experiences that have shaped you, and create a path forward that aligns with your values, goals, and vision for your life.
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a comfortable therapeutic relationship. We'll spend time discussing your background, current concerns, life experiences, and what has led you to seek therapy at this time. I'll gather information about your personal history while also learning about your strengths, support systems, and the areas of your life you'd like to improve. Together, we'll begin identifying your goals for therapy and what success would look like for you. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, learn more about my approach, and determine whether I am the right fit for your needs. Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with is important, and I want you to feel empowered to make the best decision for your mental health journey.
I believe therapy should be both supportive and transformative. I offer a balance of compassion and accountability; creating a space where you feel safe, heard, and understood while also gently challenging you to grow. There are times when you may simply need someone to sit with you in difficult emotions, and there are times when you need support in recognizing patterns, shifting perspectives, and taking intentional steps toward change. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I tailor therapy to your unique needs, drawing from strengths-based, narrative, and cognitive behavioral approaches to help you gain insight, build practical skills, and create meaningful progress. My clients often appreciate that I can quietly hold space when needed while also asking the questions that encourage deeper reflection, self-awareness, and growth. My goal is to help you feel supported, empowered, and equipped to navigate life with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.
My ideal client is the woman who is carrying a lot while trying to hold it all together. Whether you're balancing motherhood, relationships, career demands, or major life transitions, you may be feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from yourself. Therapy offers a space to slow down, process, heal, and prioritize your mental health while building the tools needed to create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Other specialties
I identify as
Strength-Based
A strengths-based approach focuses on identifying and building upon the strengths, skills, and qualities you already have rather than focusing only on problems or challenges. Together, we'll explore what's working well in your life, how you've overcome difficulties in the past, and the personal strengths that can help you navigate current concerns. The goal is to help you feel empowered, confident, and capable of creating meaningful change while recognizing that you already possess many of the tools needed for growth and healing.
Narrative
A narrative approach helps you explore the stories you tell yourself about motherhood, your experiences, and your identity. For moms experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, or other Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), it can be easy to believe that your struggles define who you are as a mother. Together, we'll separate you from the challenges you're facing, explore how these experiences have impacted your view of yourself, and identify a more compassionate and empowering narrative. The goal is to help you recognize that you are not your anxiety, depression, or difficult season. You are a whole person with strengths, resilience, and a story that continues to be written.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Often, our thoughts shape how we feel and respond to situations, even when those thoughts may not be completely accurate or helpful. Together, we'll identify patterns of thinking that may be contributing to stress, anxiety, self-doubt, or feeling stuck, and learn how to challenge and reframe them. The goal is to help you develop healthier thought patterns, gain a new perspective, and create meaningful changes in how you feel and navigate daily life.