I am an experienced therapist licensed in Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, and Kansas. I work with adults seeking thoughtful, results-focused support during periods of stress, transition, or relationship strain. Many of my clients are capable, high-functioning people who feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or stuck despite “doing all the right things.” They want practical tools, deeper insight, and meaningful change—not just a place to vent. My approach is active, collaborative, and grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and relational work. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we identify the patterns driving distress and build skills that create sustainable change. I earned my master’s degree from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Clients describe me as supportive, direct, compassionate, and realistic—with a grounded sense of humor.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we’ll take a focused snapshot of your life—or, if you’re coming in as a couple, your relationship. We’ll look at what’s weighing on you, what’s working, and where you feel stuck. Together, we’ll clarify your goals and begin shaping a plan aligned with your values. My work is active and skill-based. In addition to talking things through, we focus on learning practical strategies to help you respond more effectively to difficult thoughts, emotions, and interaction patterns. I will invite you to practice these skills between sessions to accelerate progress. You can expect to leave sessions with both insight and something concrete to apply in daily life.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I quickly build collaborative, trusting relationships and help clients move from feeling overwhelmed or stuck to feeling steadier, clearer, and more empowered. I specialize in: • Anxiety and chronic stress • Grief and loss • Relationship distress and communication breakdown • Life transitions and role shifts • Over-functioning and people-pleasing patterns I also support clients managing chronic medical conditions, sleep difficulties, and pain, where emotional and behavioral factors play an important role. Clients often appreciate that I combine warmth with structure—offering insight, accountability, and practical tools that support real change, not just temporary relief.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with adults (19+) and couples who want engaged, thoughtful therapy and are ready to examine patterns, improve relationships, and make meaningful changes. Couples therapy is offered as a specialized private-pay service. This includes: • Individuals navigating anxiety, burnout, grief, or caregiving • Couples seeking to reduce conflict, rebuild trust, and reconnect • Older adults facing aging-related stress, loss, or identity shifts If you’re motivated to better understand yourself and create lasting change, our work together will be active, collaborative, and focused.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that helps people develop a more flexible and effective way of responding to difficult thoughts, emotions, and life circumstances. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, sadness, or stress, ACT reduces the struggle with these experiences so they have less control over your behavior and relationships. The focus is on building psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present, respond intentionally, and take action guided by what truly matters to you. In our work together, ACT helps you: • Step back from unhelpful thought patterns rather than being driven by them • Regulate emotional reactivity in moments of stress or conflict • Clarify your core values and how you want to show up in your life and relationships • Take practical, values-based steps toward meaningful change ACT is especially effective for anxiety, chronic stress, grief, life transitions, relationship distress, and situations where you feel stuck despite “trying everything.” My goal is not to eliminate difficult emotions, but to help you respond to them differently—so they no longer dictate your choices. From there, we focus on building a life that feels purposeful, connected, and aligned with what matters most.
Couples Counseling
I specialize in working with couples who feel stuck in repetitive conflict, emotional distance, resentment, or trust rupture. My approach is structured and direct, integrating relational therapy frameworks with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address the deeper dynamics driving disconnection. Our work focuses on: • Interrupting destructive conflict cycles • Increasing differentiation and emotional regulation • Restoring accountability and mutual respect • Rebuilding trust after rupture • Strengthening long-term partnership This is active, skill-based work—not open-ended venting. Sessions are focused and oriented toward sustainable, measurable change. Couples therapy is offered as a specialized private-pay service.