Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Prior to our first session I will take time to review your intake paperwork to get an idea of who you are. While intake paperwork is helpful, hearing you tell your story helps me get a much better understanding of who you are and how I can support you. During our first session I'll guide you through sharing as much of your story as you're comfortable sharing while we get to know one another. I'll ask questions to learn more about why you're seeking therapy at this time and work with you to identify goals for our work together. I also encourage clients to take time to reflect on how they feel they connect with me as a potential therapist. Having a good connection with your therapist (what therapists refer to as a therapeutic alliance) is one of the most important factors in your success in therapy! Having a good therapeutic alliance means we trust and respect one another. If that foundation is there, you will feel comfortable being vulnerable when needed, trying new strategies, and telling me what's working (and not working!) for you. Without a strong alliance, progress in therapy is incredibly challenge. So, if we meet for a session or two and you find I'm not the right fit for you, please feel free to continue looking for a therapist you have a better connection with!

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I strive to offer my clients a safe, comfortable space to let down their guard and finally explore the issues that have been preventing them from building the life and relationships they want. I am gentle, empathetic, and compassionate while also being directive and challenging when I notice that my clients are getting in their own way. Folks often tell me I am authentic, a good listener, and gentle. I am also a curious and driven person and place high expectations on myself as a provider. This means I am continually learning about better ways to support my clients through reading, consultation, and attending trainings so I can offer evidence based support.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Early in my career I spent about 4 years working with teenagers in the psychiatric residential treatment setting. The clients I worked with often had diagnoses such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and reactive attachment disorder. I’ve also spent time working with children who are neurodivergent (having diagnoses like developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, and ADHD) in several different capacities. I have also supported folks who are experiencing abuse and domestic violence. In the last few years I transitioned to splitting my time between working in the pediatric medical setting and offering telehealth psychotherapy via private practice. I feel this gives me optimal work-life balance, allowing me to bring the best version of myself to each session. My experiences in residential, medical, and private practice settings have helped me develop an adaptive skillset, allowing me to support a wide range of folks. My residential experiences helped lay the groundwork for my understanding of how humans are affected by trauma, including issues related to adoption, attachment, and sexual abuse. I find great fulfillment in accompanying folks as they heal from past trauma and find confidence and hope again. While working as a medical social worker I have worked closely with children (and their families) coping with a variety of kidney issues, including those preparing for and recovering from transplant. I currently offer mental health support to medically complex children who reside in a pediatric nursing home. This role challenges me to be exceptionally creative and adaptive in how I work with clients and has given me a good understanding of how individuals and families are impacted by illness. In my private practice work I find that I often work with young adults, although I also really enjoy working with teenagers and older adults. Themes I commonly explore with the folks I work with include exploring gender and sexual identity, race/discrimination, life transitions, separation from a partner, coping with chronic illness, domestic abuse, mood disorders, anxiety, coping with past trauma etc.