(he/him)
New to Grow
In the words of Virginia Satir, sometimes we prefer the certainty of misery over the misery of uncertainty. When people wrestle with shame and fear, they often adopt patterns of controlling, avoiding, and numbing as coping mechanisms. We cling to what is familiar and comforting, even when it’s leading to harmful habits, deeper isolation, or burnout. You are not meant to bear this burden alone. Counseling isn't for the broken- it's for the brave. It's the decision to lean into your current pain, allowing you to build the resilience, faith, and freedom you've been searching for.
The most important predictor of success in therapy is the therapeutic alliance, or, in other words, the trust, bond, and connection between client and counselor. I take this seriously, and it is the primary goal of my first session with clients- to make sure our time is both comfortable and engaging. I will also gather information and try to clarify goals so that we can map out the future of treatment. Finally, I will answer any questions you have about me or the process of therapy.
I have experience in working with people from various backgrounds, facing numerous issues. I deeply value working hard for my clients and with integrity. I am trained in many different therapeutic modalities and will utilize only the tools and approaches that will serve you best.
In a culture that often values perfection, productivity, and instant gratification as cures, I aim to help you journey toward rest and connection in each area of your life. No matter the presenting problem, it's my goal to not only alleviate surface-level symptoms but also address any deeper effect on your self-worth, relationships, faith, and work. I specialize in working with adults facing anxiety, OCD, Panic, Addictions, sexual issues, low self-esteem, marital issues/infidelity, codependency, and faith issues. I only see clients through telehealth at this time.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT is an approach that focuses on developing psychological flexibility- the ability to move toward what you value and what is important in life, even in the presence of pain and suffering. In my experience, this promotes a greater level of resilience and flourishing than many approaches to symptom reduction can offer.
Christian Counseling
Spiritual formation focuses on integrating faith to move toward not just healing, but also spiritual growth amidst suffering. Christianity is a faith that hinges on God using darkness and evil for a beautiful purpose until the day that He makes all things new. The cross is the greatest proof of this; however, I aim to help others to understand how the lens of the gospel can be applied to their own pain, bringing them closer to Christ in the process.
Interpersonal
As relational beings, our most core wounds come from relational hurt, neglect, and disconnection. Fortunately, the inverse is also true- the most intense and comprehensive healing we will experience will come from relationships. An interpersonal approach focuses on taking advantage of this truth by focusing on the counselor-client relationship as a vehicle for experiencing growth and change, deepening trust and confidence in the process.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
While avoidance strategies are natural and comfortable in the face of panic, fear, and dread, they often reinforce the anxiety associated with whatever trigger, phobia, or situation (especially in cases of panic, OCD, phobias, and hypochondria). This creates a cycle that makes confronting fears more difficult and life-altering in the long run. I use ERP to facilitate a structured approach to confronting fear, allowing the brain and body to create a new relationship to the feared stimuli and move through it once and for all.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to focus on correcting unhealthy thought patterns, which are very often at the core of unpleasant emotions and habits that we find ourselves stuck in.