LPC, 29 years of experience
Welcome! I am a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist with extensive experience helping clients navigate some of life’s most challenging struggles. My areas of specialty include substance use disorders, process addictions, eating disorders, and trauma. I also have a strong background working with first responders, military service members, and their families, understanding the unique stressors, cultural dynamics, and mental health challenges. I approach therapy with a client-centered and individualized perspective. I understand that no two journeys are the same, and I work collaboratively to create a safe, supportive space. My goal is to help you identify patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and gain insight into the underlying factors that may be influencing your behaviors and emotional responses. In my work with substance use and process addictions, I focus on helping clients build resilience, identify triggers, and strengthen tools for relapse prevention. When supporting clients with eating disorders, I combine compassionate support with evidence-based interventions to address both the physical and psychological aspects of recovery. I also specialize in trauma-focused care, helping individuals process painful experiences in a safe and structured way, reducing emotional distress, and building emotional regulation skills. Working with first responders and military clients, I understand the high levels of stress, trauma exposure, and unique cultural factors that can impact mental health. I provide practical tools, psychoeducation, and coping strategies to support emotional well-being while honoring the unique identity and experiences of each client. Whether you are seeking to process trauma, heal from addiction, manage anxiety or depression, or improve your overall well-being, I am here to guide you. Together, we can create a treatment plan that aligns with your goals, fosters personal growth, and empowers you to live a more balanced and fulfilling life. You are not alone in this journey, and change is possible.
Our first session is an opportunity to get to know each other and begin building a safe, collaborative space for your growth and healing. During this session, I will ask you about your current concerns, personal history, and any challenges you are facing related to substance use, trauma, mental health, or life transitions. This helps me understand your unique experiences and goals so we can tailor therapy to meet your needs. We will also discuss your expectations for therapy, your strengths, and areas where you want support. I may ask questions about your emotional patterns, coping strategies, and how your challenges impact daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. This session is not about judgment—it’s about understanding where you are now and how we can work together to create positive change. Additionally, we will review confidentiality, session structure, and how therapy works, so you feel comfortable and informed about the process. You are welcome to ask any questions or share concerns at any time. By the end of our first session, you can expect to have a clearer understanding of your goals for therapy, a preliminary plan for how we can address them, and some initial strategies to help you begin coping with current stressors. The first session sets the foundation for a trusting therapeutic relationship, where you are supported in exploring your challenges, building skills, and fostering resilience. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and focused on evidence-based practices, ensuring you feel empowered and heard from the very beginning.
I bring a trauma-informed and client-centered approach to therapy, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered to explore their experiences. I have extensive expertise in working with clients struggling with substance use, process addictions, and co-occurring mental health disorders, using evidence-based strategies to support recovery, relapse prevention, and long-term resilience. I am skilled in facilitating both psychoeducational and process-oriented groups, as well as individual sessions, tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of each client. My experience with specialized populations, including first responders, military members, and healthcare professionals, allows me to understand the distinct stressors and cultural dynamics they face, and to provide relevant, personalized support. I focus on helping clients build emotional regulation skills, process trauma safely, and develop practical coping strategies, all while fostering self-awareness, insight, and meaningful personal growth.
I specialize in working with individuals navigating substance use challenges or process addictions such as gambling or internet-related behaviors. I thrive in supporting clients at pivotal moments, helping them find clarity and direction at life’s crossroads. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve had the privilege of working with adolescents, young adults, and adults, with a particular focus on healthcare professionals who face unique stressors and demands. My goal is to provide a compassionate, tailored approach to help clients heal, grow, and thrive.
Utilizing DBT I am able to explore with clients to manage emotional dysregulation, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. Integrating DBT skills mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness into both individual and group sessions, teaching clients practical strategies to cope with difficult emotions, improve relationships, and reduce maladaptive behaviors. I tailor DBT interventions for diverse populations, including long-term clients, first responders, military personnel, and healthcare professionals.
I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences, painful memories, and deeply held negative beliefs. Through structured phases, I guide clients to safely access distressing memories while focusing on bilateral stimulation, helping the brain reprocess the experience and reduce emotional intensity. I integrate EMDR with trauma-informed care, supporting clients in developing positive beliefs, improving emotional regulation, and building resilience. This approach is effective for clients struggling with PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and co-occurring substance use disorders.
I use Narrative Therapy to help clients explore the stories they tell about themselves and their lives, identifying how these narratives influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By externalizing problems—seeing them as separate from themselves—clients gain perspective and empowerment to challenge limiting beliefs and patterns. I guide clients to re-author their stories in ways that reflect resilience, strengths, and desired change, supporting them in creating meaning, improving self-identity, and fostering healthier relationships. This approach is particularly effective for clients dealing with trauma, addiction, relationship challenges, or life transitions.