Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Addiction / Substance Use, Bipolar Disorder, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
(She/Her)
New to Grow
My passion for this work spans over 6 years in the mental health and substance abuse field, and it is deeply rooted in my own personal journey with addiction and mental health recovery. This lived experience gives me a deeply empathetic, real-world perspective on the hurdles you face. I am living proof that everyone deserves quality mental health support, and that it is entirely possible to discover vital, healthy new ways of living. I work best with adult clients who are ready to navigate complex situations, find clarity, and transition into a healthier, more peaceful lifestyle. I have worked with many different types of clients, including those with addiction issues, and mental health issues ranging from anxiety to schizophrenia. In our sessions, you can expect a warm, accepting, and non-judgmental environment. I am a direct and collaborative therapist. I don’t just sit back and nod—I am an active participant in your healing journey. My therapeutic approach intentionally blends practical tool building with deep, compassionate reflection so you leave with real-world strategies. Additionally, for clients who are looking to process deeper history, I provide trauma-informed therapy through EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Taking that first step toward therapy can feel daunting, but you deserve a space where you feel truly seen, heard, and supported.
If you are feeling nervous or unsure of what to expect, that is completely normal. After our first session together, my highest hope is that you leave feeling deeply heard, physically lighter, and quietly confident about the road ahead. Specifically, you can expect to walk away feeling relieved, respected and hopeful, because you will realize you are no longer carrying these burdens alone, and you have an active partner committed to helping you reclaim your life. Many of my approaches are the same for family and couples therapy sessions. There is an understanding I am in a partnership with the family as a whole and I do not take sides as a neutral party.
My own life experiences bring a unique depth to our sessions, allowing me to meet you exactly where you are. I know that true healing takes time, and I am highly skilled at holding a steady, patient space for you—whether you struggle to find the right words or simply need quiet moments to process what is truly underneath the surface. Once we have built strong rapport and established a trusted foundation, I will gently push and challenge you to find the answers you are looking for. I am not here to simply nod, offer generic advice, or ask superficial questions about your day. Therapy is hard work for both of us, and it is rarely easy, but I am fully committed to walking this transformative journey right beside you.
Adults Ages 18+. They might feel stuck in negative thinking loops, completely overwhelmed by daily stress, or disconnected from the people in their lives. They know they want a positive change, but they honestly do not know where to start. They are individuals who might struggle to find the right words initially or need a therapist who is patient enough to let them sit with their thoughts to figure out "what is truly underneath the surface." Once trust and rapport are built, they are ready for a therapist who will gently push them out of their comfort zone so they can find the clarity, healing, and peaceful lifestyle they are looking for.
I incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you change your relationship with uncomfortable thoughts and difficult emotions. In our sessions, we won't spend all of our energy trying to force negative thoughts to disappear. Instead, we use ACT in three practical ways. Accepting things as they are: We work on acknowledging your painful feelings, cravings, or memories without letting them overwhelm or control you. Choosing your direction: We clarify what truly matters to you, like your core values, so you can decide what a 'vital and healthy life' actually looks like for you. Taking committed action: We design practical, daily steps that align with those values, helping you move forward even when stress or self-doubt show up.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a practical, hands-on tool to help you break free from the negative cycles holding you back. Your thoughts heavily influence how you feel and act. Together, we use CBT to: Identify negative traps: We pinpoint the automatic, unhelpful thoughts like self-doubt, catastrophizing, or 'all-or-nothing' thinking that fuel your daily stress and anxiety. Challenge the patterns: We look at the evidence objectively, helping you untangle your thoughts from absolute facts so you can find clarity underneath the surface. Build real-world behaviors: We develop actionable strategies to interrupt negative habits or cravings, allowing you to choose healthier, more peaceful responses to life's challenges.
I integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you find a powerful balance between accepting who you are right now and actively changing the patterns that cause you pain. DBT provides concrete, life-changing skills that are incredibly effective for navigating intense emotions, stress, and recovery. Together, we focus on four core areas: Mindfulness: Learning to stay firmly grounded in the present moment without judging yourself or your emotions. Distress Tolerance: Building a toolkit of healthy coping mechanisms to survive a crisis or intense craving without making the situation worse. Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing overwhelming feelings so they no longer drive your choices. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Developing the tools to communicate clearly, protect your peace, and build healthier relationships.
I provide trauma-informed therapy through EMDR for clients who are ready to process deeper history, painful memories, or unresolved trauma. When we go through difficult or traumatic experiences, our brains can sometimes 'store' those memories improperly, keeping us stuck in the same survival responses years later. EMDR helps you gently unlock and reprocess those experiences. Together, we use this evidence-based approach to: Reduce emotional triggers: We work to take the painful 'sting' out of old memories, so they no longer disrupt your daily peace or fuel cravings. Break free from the past: We help your brain file away past events as history, rather than something your body feels like it is re-living today. Build new core beliefs: We replace deeply rooted negative beliefs—like 'I am not safe' or 'I am stuck'—with healthier, empowering truths.
At the core of everything I do is a Humanistic philosophy. This means I firmly believe you are the ultimate expert on your own life, and you already possess the inner strength needed to heal. My role isn't to judge you, analyze you from a distance, or tell you how to live your life. Instead, we use this collaborative framework to: Emphasize unconditional acceptance: You can bring your messy, complicated, or painful truths into our workspace without any fear of judgment. You are safe here. Focus on the whole person: We look beyond your struggles with addiction, trauma, or stress, and instead focus on your unique strengths, values, and potential. Foster genuine connection: I bring my authentic self into the room. We work as equal partners, walking side-by-side on your journey toward self-discovery and a vital lifestyle.