(he/him)
I have been working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, PTSD for 8+ years now. Together, we can work on improving physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life. We will figure out your best qualities, strengths, and abilities to realize your goals. I began my career working in community mental health serving individuals with severe and persistent mental illness/primary psychosis disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective, delusional and bipolar affective disorders. I further have experience working with addictions, trauma, codependences, effective disorders, and relationship struggles.
During a first session, my goal is always to create an accepting, validating, non-judgmental place to "crash". I try to be sensitive to the fact that therapy often starts for others after experiencing potential invalidation, hurt, and pain from hostile environments or people. I like to create a neutral, attentive, and supportive environment to begin building therapeutic trust and familiarity.
I believe the diversity of my experiences as a therapist in multiple treatment settings, eclectic, flexible approach, and knowledge base from academic studies is one of my greatest strengths. I have worked with clients across the spectrum of age, gender, sexuality, and diagnoses, including severe mental health disorders, OCD, PTSD, and mood disorders. I like to approach therapy with the understanding that the healing process is often dynamic and unpredictable. Lastly, I try to create a professional and genuine rapport with clients while respecting and learning about the culture and lived experiences of others.
My personal expertise is working with clients with OCD, phobias, PTSD, and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. I have also assisted clients struggling with ADHD, addictive behaviors, and life transitions. I recognize we all can be at different places in recovery and change preparedness, and I want to meet my clients where they are without judgement, assumptions, or preconceptions about their path to recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have extensive theoretical training from my master's program and in-person practice using this method. Clients have reported good results, particularly with using thought records, challenging and reframing irrational beliefs, and behavioral planning and interventions.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I appreciate the parable opportunities ACT offers which help individuals envision methods of detaching from harmful beliefs, obsessive thinking, and processing pain, and have received feedback over the beneficial aspects of these interventions.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
This is a primary method in dealing with OCD, a treatment area which I consider to be my developing specialty in practice. Many feared obsessions and compulsions are successfully treated this way.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I am learning this intervention modality gradually in work with clients with BPD, and appreciate the ability to have paradoxical beliefs successfully while learning self-soothing methods for overwhelming thoughts and feelings of abandonment.
Humanistic
I find that humanistic, person-centered treatment is my main philosophy in therapy. My belief and suggestion that we are all valuable despite errors and failures is usually something received well in therapy and tends to take root for clients over time, leading to improved mood and reduction in self-esteem struggles.