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

Taking the first step toward therapy is often the hardest part of the journey. I recognize that it can feel intimidating to sit down with a stranger and begin discussing your personal life. Because I value honesty and transparency, I want to pull back the curtain on what our first session will look like. My goal is for you to leave our first meeting feeling heard, respected, and—most importantly—hopeful that a realistic path forward exists. Creating a Comfortable Environment Our first session is primarily about "fit." Therapy is a partnership, and it is essential that you feel comfortable with my down-to-earth and straightforward style. We will begin with a brief introduction where I’ll share a bit more about how I work, but the majority of the time is dedicated to you. This is a non-judgmental, "come as you are" space. You don’t need to have a perfect script or a list of clinical terms; you just need to bring your authentic self. The Intake Process: Gathering the Pieces Think of our first session as an information-gathering mission. To help you effectively, I need to understand the "big picture" of your life. We will discuss: Your Current Challenges: What brought you to therapy right now? We’ll explore the specific stressors, emotions, or patterns that are currently making life feel difficult. Your Personal History: We will touch on your background, including relationships, work, and previous experiences with mental health. This helps me understand the context of your current thinking patterns. The "Why" and "How": Using a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) lens, I may ask questions that help us begin to see how certain thoughts are influencing your current mood. We aren't just looking at the "what"—we are looking at the mechanics of your internal world. Identifying Healthy and Realistic Goals One of the most important parts of our first meeting is the identification of healthy and realistic goals. I don’t believe in vague promises of "happiness"; I believe in measurable progress. During the latter half of the session, we will start to define what success looks like for you. Are we looking to decrease the frequency of negative self-talk? Are we aiming to manage panic symptoms so you can return to social activities? Are we working on setting boundaries in a specific relationship? By the end of this hour, we should have a rough "roadmap" for our work together. I want you to walk away with a clear understanding of how we will tackle these goals as

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

1. A Calming and Understanding Presence One of my primary strengths is the calming environment I bring to every session. I recognize that therapy can often involve discussing vulnerable or high-stress topics. My approach is rooted in a deep sense of understanding; I provide a non-judgmental space where you can feel safe to be your 100% authentic self. This calming presence acts as an anchor, helping to regulate the anxiety that often accompanies growth. When you feel understood and emotionally secure, you are better positioned to do the "heavy lifting" of cognitive change. 2. A Solution-Focused Partnership While I prioritize empathy, I am also deeply solution-focused. I believe that therapy should provide you with more than just a place to vent; it should provide you with a path forward. One of my core strengths is my ability to help you move from a state of feeling "stuck" to a state of action. We work together as a collaborative team to investigate your challenges and identify the most effective strategies to overcome them. I am not a distant authority figure; I am an active partner dedicated to helping you find practical solutions to real-world problems. 3. Identifying and Dismantling Irrational Thinking My clinical specialty lies in my ability to help clients "fact-check" their own minds. We all have an internal narrator, but for many of us, that narrator is biased, overly critical, or flat-out wrong. I excel at helping clients identify irrational thinking patterns and cognitive distortions. Whether it is "catastrophizing" (expecting the worst) or "all-or-nothing" thinking, I help you recognize these glitches in real-time. By utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Restructuring, I empower you to reframe negative self-talk into a narrative that is balanced, healthy, and—most importantly—realistic. 4. Realistic Goal-Setting and Radical Honesty I value honesty, and that honesty extends to the goals we set together. A significant strength of my practice is my focus on healthy and realistic goals. I don’t believe in vague promises of "perfect happiness"; I believe in measurable, sustainable improvements to your quality of life. My method is highly structured and results-oriented. I am best positioned to serve those who want a therapist who is straightforward and transparent. This directness is always tempered with the understanding and compassion mentioned earlier, ensuring you feel challenged but never overwhelmed. I excel at takin

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Choosing a therapist is a significant decision, and finding the right "fit" is the most important factor in your success. My ideal clients are often individuals who feel a sense of misalignment between where they are and where they want to be. They are often high-achievers, caregivers, or professionals who, on the outside, seem to "have it all together," but internally struggle with a persistent narrative of self-doubt, anxiety, or perfectionism. The Mindset of the Clients I Serve I work best with clients who are ready for a collaborative and active therapeutic process. If you are looking for a therapist who will simply nod and listen, my style might feel a bit different. I am best positioned to serve those who value honesty and transparency. My ideal client appreciates a down-to-earth perspective and is looking for a therapist who will be an active partner in their growth—someone who will gently challenge them when they are stuck in a cycle of irrational thinking and celebrate with them when they achieve a hard-won goal. Common Concerns and Challenges Many of the individuals I work with come to me because they feel "stuck" in their own heads. You might be my ideal client if you resonate with the following: The Weight of Negative Self-Talk: You find that your "internal critic" is the loudest voice in the room. This negative dialogue often leads to feelings of inadequacy, even when you are succeeding objectively. Irrational Thinking Patterns: You may struggle with "cognitive distortions" like catastrophizing (expecting the worst-case scenario) or overgeneralization (believing one mistake defines your whole life). These patterns can make the world feel much more overwhelming than it needs to be. The Pursuit of Perfectionism: Many of my clients feel the crushing weight of "shoulds"—I should be doing more, I should be further along, I should be happier. We work together to replace these rigid expectations with healthy, realistic goals. Anxiety and Overthinking: If you spend your evenings replaying conversations or worrying about future events you cannot control, I can help you find your way back to the present moment. Your Therapy Goals My ideal client isn’t just looking for temporary relief; they are looking for long-term resilience. They want to build a "mental toolkit" that they can rely on for the rest of their lives. Your goals might include: Developing Self-Awareness: Learning to catch negative thoughts the moment they occur. Cognitive Restructu