(she/her)
New to Grow
I have over 20 years of extensive experience working in the non-for profit, educational and private practice sectors: helping adults, couples and families who want to improve their relationships, heal history of trauma, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and interpersonal relationship concerns. The methods I use are effective & grounded in research, including EMDR, TF-CBT, ACT, and The Gottman Method. I have completed graduate education and hold a license in marriage and family therapy. I have advanced training in Gottman, Trauma Focused-CBT, Nurturing Parenting Skills & EMDR. I have presented trainings and workshops on various mental health issues to both mental health clinicians and clients/families who are seeking betterment in their lives. I provide ongoing clinical consultation to various organizations that provide free mental health services to the foster care population.
During your first session, you and I will identify your challenges and goals - where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. There will always be a safe space for suggestions concerning our work together, and how we can keep each other accountable.
Whether you’re looking for therapy for yourself, your relationship, or your family, I provide a welcoming & safe space where everyone involved can feel heard & supported. My clients have consistently experienced a renewed sense of well-being that allowed them to know the past was behind them, and content in the present. The tools they have learned and practiced provided real daily life examples of how they wanted to feel, think, and behave. From the smallest objective, "I just want to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee in the morning without interruptions," to "I want to learn how to say what I feel without a big fight occurring." You will discover your own special 'cup of coffee,' in our work together.
I am best positioned to serve clients seeking to restore balance, emotional well-being and healthy relationship interpersonal skills. Clients experiencing: anxiety, depression, family conflict, marital issues, life transitions, trauma, survivors of abuse, dissociation, attachment/co-dependency, self-esteem. I work with clients who are motivated and committed to give therapy a chance and an objective or goal they are comfortable exploring and working towards.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I've been using CBT in my practice for over 20 years. It's helped hundreds of clients challenge recurring thoughts and manage many emotions and behaviors that feel overbearing. We'll use CBT to recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact with one another. We'll then use that knowledge to change your thinking patterns and how your feel about yourself, which will help you lead a more relaxed and less stressful life.
EMDR
I've been using EMDR in my practice for the past few years. It's helped hundreds of clients challenge historical or circumstantial events that led to trauma or stress response. We'll use EMDR to recover a sense of control, understanding of the behaviors that resulted from the trauma. We'll then use that knowledge to change your emotional well-being, which will help you think and feel better about your past, present and future.
Trauma-Focused CBT
We all experience difficult experiences in some form or another, but it needs to be addressed when it starts to get in the way of our happiness or productivity. I've been treating trauma for over 20 years, mainly using TFCBT. We'll focus on what triggers the specific thoughts, feelings, and the stressful memories your mind tells you. Then, we'll create a concrete plan that includes evidence-based techniques and work through it together until your life feels manageable.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
How we view ourselves and those in our lives, past or present. matters. It effects many facets of our daily living. Via the use of ACT, we will work towards increasing the positive aspects of how relationships, family, work, friends, hurts, and challenges, effect you; with specific steps - methods, that provide not only hope, but evidence of how these steps are changing the bad to good. Via small but significant practice, you will gain strengths and clarity of acceptance and commitment to your well-being.
Gottman method
Relationships are tricky and can become complex to manage when the everyday things in life become overwhelming. Via the use of The Gottman Method, you will gain the special tools for healthy communication, find resolutions to long held conflict, rekindle a sense of togetherness, friendship and fun. Together, you will use these tools and learn the simple trick to apply them to your most special person.