New to Grow
I am a licensed therapist, educator, and relationship strategist committed to helping individuals, couples, and families build healthier emotional and relational lives. Through my clinical practice, Life Essentials Counseling, and my relationship-focused work with Love in Action, I support clients navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and generational patterns. My approach is culturally responsive, systems-oriented, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I create a space that is direct, compassionate, and empowering—where clients can increase insight, strengthen boundaries, improve communication, and make intentional changes that align with their values and long-term goals.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is focused on understanding your story and clarifying your goals. I will ask thoughtful questions about what brings you to therapy, your current challenges, relevant history, and what you hope will feel different as a result of our work together. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and determine whether I am the right fit for you. I approach the first session with curiosity, directness, and compassion—balancing listening with gentle structure. By the end of our time, we will identify initial goals and outline a clear direction for treatment so you leave feeling understood, supported, and confident about the path forward.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strengths are my ability to combine clinical expertise with direct, practical guidance and cultural awareness. I do not offer surface-level conversations—I help clients identify patterns, understand root causes, and implement tangible strategies that create measurable change. My approach is structured yet compassionate, balancing accountability with empathy. I integrate evidence-based methods with a systems and empowerment lens, helping clients strengthen boundaries, improve communication, regulate emotions, and shift long-standing relational dynamics. Clients often appreciate that I am honest, grounded, and goal-oriented, creating a space that feels both safe and transformative.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to serve individuals, couples, and families who are ready to do meaningful work. My ideal clients may be navigating anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, life transitions, grief, addiction recovery, or generational trauma. Many are high-functioning professionals or caregivers who are outwardly successful but internally overwhelmed. I work especially well with clients who value accountability, insight, and practical tools—not just venting, but real change. Whether you are seeking to strengthen your relationship, improve communication, set healthier boundaries, or break long-standing family patterns, I provide structured, culturally responsive, and goal-oriented support to help you move forward intentionally.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a structured, evidence-based approach to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that impact their emotions and behaviors. With extensive experience working with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, relationship stress, life transitions, and addiction recovery, I use CBT to help clients increase self-awareness, develop healthier coping strategies, and build practical tools for lasting change. In my Life Essentials Counseling practice, CBT supports clients in reframing distorted thinking and strengthening emotional regulation. Through Love in Action, I integrate CBT principles to help couples and individuals improve communication, shift negative relational narratives, and make intentional behavioral changes that align with their values and goals.
Couples Counseling
I provide couples counseling using an integrative approach that blends evidence-based practices such as Gottman Method interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and systems-based perspectives. I have experience working with couples navigating communication breakdowns, trust issues, infidelity, premarital concerns, life transitions, and cultural stressors. In my Life Essentials Counseling practice, I help couples identify unhealthy interaction patterns, strengthen emotional safety, and rebuild connection through structured skill-building and guided dialogue. Through Love in Action, I also support couples in developing practical tools for conflict resolution, emotional intimacy, and intentional partnership, with a focus on breaking generational cycles and building healthy, sustainable love.
Family Therapy
I provide family therapy through a systems-based and culturally responsive lens, recognizing that individual challenges are often rooted in relational dynamics and intergenerational patterns. I have experience working with families navigating conflict, communication breakdowns, blended family adjustments, grief, behavioral concerns, and substance use recovery. In my Life Essentials Counseling practice, I help families identify dysfunctional interaction cycles, clarify roles and boundaries, and strengthen emotional safety within the family unit. I integrate structural, cognitive-behavioral, and solution-focused interventions to promote accountability and healing. Through my broader work, I also emphasize breaking generational patterns, improving communication, and fostering healthier family legacies grounded in respect, empathy, and intentional connection.
Feminist
I integrate Feminist Therapy as a strengths-based, empowerment-focused approach that acknowledges the impact of social, cultural, and systemic influences on mental health and relationships. My work centers on helping clients examine power dynamics, gender roles, cultural expectations, and intergenerational messages that shape their identity and relational patterns. In my Life Essentials Counseling practice, I use a feminist lens to support women and marginalized individuals in reclaiming their voice, setting healthy boundaries, and challenging internalized oppression. Through Love in Action, I help individuals and couples explore equity, shared responsibility, and balanced partnership dynamics, fostering relationships that are rooted in mutual respect, agency, and intentional choice rather than obligation or societal pressure.
Structural Family Therapy
I utilize Structural Family Therapy to help families understand and reorganize the patterns, roles, and boundaries that shape their interactions. My work focuses on identifying imbalances in hierarchy, enmeshment, disengagement, and unclear expectations that often contribute to conflict and dysfunction. In my Life Essentials Counseling practice, I actively guide families in restructuring unhealthy dynamics, strengthening parental leadership, clarifying boundaries, and promoting healthier communication patterns. I use directive interventions, real-time interactional work, and boundary-setting strategies to create meaningful change within the family system. This approach supports families in building stability, accountability, and stronger relational foundations across generations.