New to Grow
I am a licensed clinical therapist with over 30 years of experience supporting adults in overcoming mental health and substance use challenges. My approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy, helping clients build practical skills to manage emotions, improve thinking patterns, and create lasting change. I strive to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, gain insight, and develop tools to move forward with confidence.
Your first therapy session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a comfortable, trusting relationship. We’ll start by reviewing important information such as confidentiality, your rights as a client, and what you can expect from the therapy process. During the session, I’ll ask questions about what brings you to therapy, your current concerns, and relevant background information. This helps me understand your needs and begin identifying goals that are meaningful to you. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable—there’s no pressure to tell everything at once. We may also begin introducing initial strategies or coping tools, often drawing from approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Mindfulness-Based Therapy, depending on your needs and preferences. By the end of the session, we’ll typically discuss next steps, including potential goals, how often we might meet, and any questions you have. Most importantly, the first session is about creating a safe, supportive space where you can begin your journey at your own pace.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to build strong, trusting relationships with clients. I create a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals feel heard, respected, and supported, which allows for honest exploration and meaningful progress. I bring a high level of clinical experience and use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy to help clients develop practical skills for managing emotions, changing unhelpful thinking patterns, and improving daily functioning. I am also skilled at breaking down complex concepts into clear, relatable strategies that clients can apply in real-life situations. Another key strength is my ability to balance empathy with accountability. I support clients with compassion while also encouraging growth, responsibility, and follow-through on goals. Additionally, I am adaptable in my approach, tailoring interventions to meet each client’s unique needs, readiness for change, and cultural background. Finally, I am committed to helping clients build long-term resilience by focusing on skill development, self-awareness, and sustainable change beyond the therapy setting.
My ideal client is an individual who demonstrates a willingness—at any stage—to engage in the therapeutic process. They do not need to have everything figured out, but they show openness to self-exploration, feedback, and the possibility of change. I work well with clients who are navigating challenges related to mental health, substance use, trauma, or life transitions and are seeking practical tools to improve their daily functioning and overall well-being. I am particularly effective with clients who are open to structured, skills-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy, as well as those who benefit from a balance of accountability and support. These clients may initially feel stuck, overwhelmed, or ambivalent, but are willing to participate in goal-setting and gradually apply new coping strategies. My ideal client values collaboration and is willing to actively participate in sessions, practice skills outside of therapy, and reflect on their progress. I also work well with individuals who may have experienced setbacks or relapses but are open to learning from those experiences and continuing forward. At the same time, I recognize that readiness for change varies, and part of my role is to meet clients where they are. I strive to create a therapeutic environment that fosters trust, safety, and empowerment, helping clients build insight, resilience, and sustainable change over time.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have extensive experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a core evidence-based modality in my clinical work with both adults and adolescents across mental health and substance use treatment settings. My approach is grounded in helping individuals understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and empowering them to make meaningful, sustainable changes. In practice, I use CBT to support clients in identifying maladaptive thought patterns such as cognitive distortions (e.g., all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, and overgeneralization) and replacing them with more balanced, realistic perspectives. I guide clients through structured interventions including cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and problem-solving techniques to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and substance use. I incorporate psychoeducation to help clients build insight into how their thinking influences emotional regulation and decision-making. I also utilize goal-oriented, measurable treatment planning, ensuring that interventions are aligned with each client’s individualized needs and progress is consistently evaluated. In my work, CBT is often integrated with other approaches such as motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care to enhance engagement and outcomes. I emphasize skill-building, including coping strategies, stress management, and relapse prevention, enabling clients to apply these tools independently in real-life situations.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I have significant experience incorporating Mindfulness-Based Therapy into my clinical work with adults across mental health and substance use treatment settings. My approach emphasizes increasing clients’ present-moment awareness, emotional regulation, and ability to respond to distress with intention rather than reactivity. In practice, I utilize mindfulness techniques to help clients become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. I guide clients through interventions such as mindful breathing, body scans, grounding exercises, and guided imagery to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related stress. These techniques are particularly effective in helping clients manage overwhelming emotions, cravings, and impulsive behaviors. I integrate mindfulness into treatment by teaching clients how to observe their internal experiences rather than avoid or suppress them. This includes helping clients develop skills in distress tolerance, acceptance, and self-compassion. I often incorporate mindfulness-based strategies into cognitive and behavioral interventions to enhance overall treatment effectiveness. My work also includes psychoeducation on the impact of stress and the nervous system, helping clients understand how mindfulness supports regulation and resilience. I encourage consistent practice both in and outside of sessions, often assigning practical exercises such as mindful journaling, meditation practice, or grounding techniques to reinforce skill development. Additionally, I model mindfulness within the therapeutic relationship by fostering a calm, nonjudgmental, and supportive environment. I have also supported staff development by introducing mindfulness techniques as tools for both client care and clinician self-care, promoting reduced burnout and improved therapeutic presence.