LCSW, 4 years of experience
New to Grow
Life is complicated enough—and it doesn’t come with a manual. But therapy can be a space where we begin drafting one, together. My goal is to help you live more authentically, compassionately, and in better company with yourself, one step at a time. My approach is rooted in empathy, curiosity, and collaboration. I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, ACT, and existential therapy to meet you where you are. I’m a trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming, client-centered therapist who takes a holistic view of healing. I graduated with a Master's degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University in 2021, I obtained my post-graduate license to practice social work in 2024. I have experience supporting individuals navigating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and personality disorders. Together, we’ll build a strong therapeutic alliance, identify unhelpful thought patterns and core beliefs, and work toward sustainable, meaningful change. I believe healing is deeply personal, and no two journeys look the same. As Carl Sagan once said: "I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way."
The first session will probably feel a little different from a typical therapy session, just because all the intake stuff has to be squared away, including the treatment plan. Its a necessary step so that I can better understand the person in front of me to best serve them. The treatment plan will serve as the bones of the work we do together, and guide us as we create a therapeutic alliance together.
My experience as a clinician has been focused on severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), so I've seen and treated a wide variety of mental health challenges. My goal is to create a strong therapeutic alliance first and foremost, as the "magic" in therapy happens as a result of this collaborative and meaningful process. I am an eclectic therapist, meaning I draw from many ideas and schools of thought, and that serves me well in adapting my strategies to best serve the needs and goals of the client in front of me. I make sure to blend my approach between coping skills practice, dealing with aspects of life and the self that are discomforting or even frightening to approach, with empathy and humility.
I am skilled with working with clients with a wide range of mental health concerns from the ever present mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bi-polar disorders; to personality disorders that people struggle deeply to manage such as borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), to many other mental health challenges. I work predominantly with adults. I would not consider myself a dedicated addiction counselor, but my experience lends itself to treating complex issues that involve addiction. All I ask from my clients is to be willing to show up and engage as an active participant in their healing journey, and I will tailor therapy to your unique needs, circumstances, and values.
I have used DBT extensively in group and individual therapies to build coping skills and resilience utilizing its four pillars: emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
I have used CBT extensively in group and individual therapies to identify negative thought patterns, increase understanding of the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and challenge perspectives that can help you improve your quality of life.
I often lean on an eclectic blend of existential and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help meet people where they are at, build acceptance of "what is" in life and the individual, and work on realistic therapeutic goals. I use this modality as a tool to help my clients face discomforting ideas that demand focus to promote healing and authentic living.
I pepper in mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) as a strategy to help clients focus on the here and now. Depression often pulls us to the past, and anxiety pulls us towards the future. It's easy to get caught up in the various stressors in life and get pulled away from what's in front of us that is worth noticing. Mindfulness helps people stay grounded in the moment, and improve their connection with themselves and their bodies.