New to Grow
As a child, I experienced severe anxiety, depression, and OCD symptoms. Through family support and treatment, I gained tools to manage my symptoms and move forward. While depression has mostly subsided, anxiety and OCD continue to impact how I move through the world, and this experience greatly motivates me to decrease the suffering of others. My specialization is with folks who have survived adverse life events and those who identify with marginalized populations, including LGBTQIA+. I hold a keen awareness of the strengths and barriers involved in the queer experience because I'm queer too. Supporting you in finding safety in community is my honor.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During our initial sessions, we will explore your goals and identify your priorities to co-create a plan that specifies how we will move forward. At any time, if you feel things aren't progressing as you'd prefer, we can revisit this process and adjust to ensure we remain focused on the areas that will feel most helpful for you. I utilize person-centered, strengths-based approaches with a trauma-informed lens to ensure your experience in therapy is exactly what makes sense for you individually. My experience working with multidisciplinary teams lends itself to creative, collaborative problem-solving and empowers you to be the driving force behind your positive change.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I approach communication in an honest and kind way, guiding you to identify your own path with compassion and sometimes humor. I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge of the human mind, so I love to incorporate psychoeducation when relevant. I share some personal details when that might normalize something you're feeling isolated about.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I have the most experience in supporting folks who are ages 12-75, especially since younger children can experience difficulties in connecting with providers virtually. My specialty is with individuals with LGBTQIA+ identities and with those who have survived being exposed to traumatic experiences. I am always open to supporting elder and/or cis/straight individuals as well, especially those who may be struggling with anxiety, OCD, and/or PTSD.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I often incorporate cognitive strategies into sessions, especially when clients are experiencing negative impacts on their daily lives which might be reduced by adjusting their underlying thought process or ideas about themselves so that they can break free from unhelpful patterns.
Trauma Informed Care
Keeping trauma as a front & center consideration for nearly every client is a clinical framework which I highly value, since all aspects of clients' lives can be connected with traumatic experiences & memories. In this way, I try to ensure that any other therapeutic approach is not incidentally becoming a barrier to the client's healing process.
Strength-Based
Strength-based approaches not only align with my personal belief that everyone is doing their best, but they also are proven to just work better! When I support clients in focusing on what they're already doing well, it can help them to increase their use of the skills that they already have.
Motivational Interviewing
When folks are feeling stuck, motivational interviewing questions can be helpful to support them in envisioning how their life might look when those barriers are eliminated. When we can picture the way we want things to look & feel, that helps to bring that reality into being.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness tools can support folks in growing their skills of tolerating negative feelings without allowing those feelings or thoughts to direct their actions. This can be greatly beneficial for emotional regulation, sleep/ relaxation quality, and letting go of negative self-judgements.