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

The first session is not about pressure. It is about clarity. When you walk into your first session with me, you are not expected to have the perfect explanation for what is wrong. You are not expected to impress me. You are not expected to justify why you need help. You are expected to be human. Our first meeting is a structured conversation with a clear purpose. We begin by slowing things down. I will ask what brought you here at this moment in your life. Not just the symptoms, but the tipping point. What finally made you say, “I cannot keep doing this alone”? Some clients come in feeling anxious and scattered. Others come in feeling numb or discouraged. Some feel skeptical but hopeful. Wherever you are emotionally, that is where we start. I will ask questions that help me understand the full picture. We explore your current challenges. If you struggle with ADHD, we talk about focus, follow through, procrastination, and emotional regulation. If anxiety is part of your story, we explore racing thoughts, avoidance patterns, physical tension, and fear cycles. If family conflict or burnout is present, we unpack those dynamics carefully. I am listening for patterns. Not to judge you. But to understand how your brain has learned to cope. You can expect thoughtful, direct questions. I may ask about your childhood, your academic or work history, your relationships, and any previous therapy experiences. Not to dig for drama, but to identify recurring themes. Many of the struggles you face today have roots in earlier adaptations. During this first session, I also explain how I work. My approach is structured and skill based. I use cognitive behavioral strategies that are practical and measurable. We focus on identifying distorted thinking, strengthening executive functioning, improving emotional regulation, and building systems that support consistency. You will not leave the first session with vague reassurance alone. You will leave with clarity about what we are targeting. We will define specific goals. Not broad hopes like “feel better.” But measurable changes such as improving task initiation, reducing emotional outbursts, strengthening follow through, calming anxiety before presentations, or reducing conflict at home. I will often reflect back what I am hearing in clear language. For example, I may say, “It sounds like the real issue is not motivation. It is emotional overwhelm.” Or, “Your anxiety spikes when expectations are unclear.” This refle

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths is clarity. Many of the people who come to me feel confused about their own patterns. They know they are struggling, but they cannot explain why. They feel stuck in cycles of procrastination, anxiety, irritability, or shutdown. What stands out in my work is my ability to quickly identify the underlying structure beneath the chaos. I do not just listen for symptoms. I listen for patterns. After twenty three years of practicing cognitive behavioral therapy, I have developed a trained ear for distorted thinking, avoidance loops, emotional triggers, and executive functioning breakdowns. Clients often tell me that within a few sessions, they feel understood in a way they have not experienced before. That clarity alone can be stabilizing. Another strength is structure. I am not a passive therapist. I do not rely on insight alone. My approach is active, practical, and skill based. We define goals early. We break them into measurable targets. We track progress. We refine strategies. If something is not working, we adjust. Therapy with me is intentional. For clients with ADHD, this structure is especially powerful. ADHD is not simply about distraction. It is about regulation. Regulation of attention. Regulation of emotion. Regulation of behavior. My work focuses on building systems that support those regulatory functions. We create routines that reduce decision fatigue. We identify triggers that lead to emotional flooding. We practice cognitive restructuring in real time. Over time, clients begin to experience themselves as capable rather than chaotic. I also bring depth of experience. With more than two decades in the field, I have worked with teens in academic crisis, adults facing burnout, families in conflict, and high performing professionals who quietly struggle. That range allows me to recognize nuances quickly. I understand school systems. I understand workplace pressure. I understand family dynamics. I understand how anxiety disguises itself as control, irritability, or avoidance. Another strength is my ability to balance compassion with accountability. Many clients come in carrying shame. They have been told they are lazy, dramatic, or not trying hard enough. I work to dismantle that shame. At the same time, I do not collude with avoidance. I believe people are stronger than they think. When necessary, I challenge distorted beliefs. I confront self defeating narratives. I ask direct questions. Growth requires both sa

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are thoughtful, capable people who are quietly overwhelmed by their own minds. On the outside, they often look functional. Some are high-achieving students. Some are professionals. Some are parents trying to hold everything together. Others are founders or entrepreneurs building something meaningful. But internally, they feel scattered, anxious, reactive, or exhausted from trying so hard just to keep up. Many of the people I serve struggle with ADHD, anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, or a combination of all three. They may have difficulty following through, managing time, controlling irritability, or calming their racing thoughts. They often say things like, “I know what I need to do. I just can’t seem to do it consistently.” Or, “Why does everything feel harder for me than it should?” I work especially well with teens and young adults who are bright but underperforming. These are students who understand the material but forget assignments, procrastinate until the last minute, or shut down when overwhelmed. They may appear unmotivated to teachers, yet privately feel ashamed, anxious, or defeated. They want to succeed. They simply do not yet have the structure or emotional tools to manage their brains. I also serve parents who feel stuck in constant conflict with their child. They are tired of repeating the same reminders. Tired of arguments about homework, chores, and screen time. Tired of feeling like nothing works. They are not looking for blame. They are looking for clarity. They want practical strategies grounded in neuroscience, not quick fixes or shame based discipline. For adults, my ideal clients are high functioning individuals who have reached a point where coping is no longer enough. They may have built careers while quietly battling anxiety or disorganization. They may be successful on paper yet struggle with burnout, emotional flooding, or avoidance of important tasks. Some are founders or leaders who feel overwhelmed by decision fatigue and internal chaos. They are driven, but they want to operate from calm focus rather than constant pressure. The common thread among the people I serve is this: they are ready to take responsibility for growth. They are not looking for someone to rescue them. They are looking for someone to guide them. My clients are curious about how their brains work. They want to understand patterns, not just manage symptoms. They are open to cognitive behavioral strategies. They are willing