New to Grow
I bring a broad and versatile clinical background shaped by work across medical, educational, correctional, community, and crisis‑response settings. My experience includes providing therapeutic support, behavioral assessment, and case management to individuals across the lifespan and across diverse levels of care. I have worked in skilled nursing facilities, offering mental health support to older adults, addressing adjustment, grief, cognitive changes, and emotional well‑being. My background in inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment includes facilitating groups, conducting assessments, supporting recovery planning, and helping clients build coping strategies for substance use and co‑occurring mental health concerns. In correctional settings, I have administered assessments, evaluated behavioral functioning, and supported individuals on probation and parole. This work has strengthened my ability to navigate high‑risk environments, provide trauma‑informed care, and collaborate with multidisciplinary justice‑system teams. My crisis‑focused experience includes MRSS (Mobile Response and Stabilization Services) and other crisis counseling roles, where I provided rapid assessment, safety planning, de‑escalation, and short‑term stabilization for individuals and families experiencing acute emotional or behavioral crises. I have also served in elementary, middle, high school, and college settings, supporting students with emotional regulation, academic stress, behavioral concerns, identity development, and social challenges. My work in educational environments emphasizes developmentally appropriate interventions and skill‑building for long‑term resilience. I have supported clients through the Ryan White Program, providing mental health services to individuals living with HIV, addressing stigma, medical stress, trauma, and holistic wellness. My experience with FEMA emergency shelter operations includes offering crisis counseling, resource coordination, and emotional support to individuals and families displaced by emergencies or natural disasters. Across all settings, my approach is grounded in compassion, cultural humility, and evidence‑based practice. I am committed to helping clients navigate life challenges, build coping skills, and strengthen their emotional well‑being, regardless of their background or level of need.
Your first session with me is a welcoming, collaborative space designed to help you feel comfortable, understood, and supported from the very beginning. We’ll start by talking about what brought you to therapy, what you’ve been navigating, and what you hope to gain from our work together. My goal is to understand your story in a way that feels safe, respectful, and at your pace—there is no pressure to share more than you’re ready for. During this session, I’ll ask thoughtful questions to learn about your current challenges, your strengths, and the patterns you’ve noticed in your life. We’ll explore what coping skills you already use, what has or hasn’t worked in the past, and what areas you’d like to grow in. I’ll also explain my therapeutic approach so you know exactly what to expect, including how we’ll work together to build practical skills for managing emotions, navigating stress, and handling whatever life brings. Because of my experience across a wide range of settings—including schools, crisis services, addiction treatment, correctional environments, medical facilities, and community programs—I’m comfortable meeting clients wherever they are in their journey. Whether you’re an adult, teen, child, athlete, or someone involved in the criminal justice system, I tailor the session to your unique needs, background, and goals. By the end of our first meeting, you’ll have a clearer sense of direction, an understanding of how therapy with me works, and a plan for our next steps. Most importantly, you’ll leave knowing you have someone in your corner—someone committed to helping you build resilience, develop meaningful coping skills, and move forward with confidence and support.
My greatest strength as a clinician is my ability to create a calm, grounded, and supportive presence in any environment—whether I am working in a skilled nursing facility, an addiction treatment program, a jail, a school, or a crisis setting. I excel at meeting clients exactly where they are, understanding their unique challenges, and helping them feel safe, respected, and capable of growth. Across all levels of care, I bring a steady balance of compassion, structure, and practical skill‑building that empowers clients to navigate life’s difficulties with greater confidence and resilience. Because of my experience with diverse populations—including children, teenagers, adults, justice‑involved individuals, medically complex patients, and people in acute crisis—I am able to adapt my approach quickly and effectively. I listen deeply, respond thoughtfully, and help clients develop coping strategies that fit their real‑world needs. Whether I am de‑escalating a crisis, supporting someone through addiction recovery, guiding a young person through emotional challenges, or helping an incarcerated individual rebuild stability, I bring consistency, empathy, and a strong clinical foundation to every interaction. Ultimately, my greatest strength is my ability to build trust and connection while providing clear, evidence‑based guidance. Clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to make meaningful changes—no matter what they are facing or where they are starting from.
My ideal client is someone who is committed to personal growth and ready to engage actively in the therapeutic process. They may be navigating life stressors, emotional challenges, or major transitions and are seeking structured support to build resilience, clarity, and confidence. This client values learning practical, evidence‑based skills to cope with whatever life brings—whether managing emotions, improving relationships, or strengthening their sense of direction and well‑being. I work especially well with individuals who appreciate a collaborative, skills‑focused approach and who are motivated to understand their patterns and develop healthier responses. This includes clients involved in the criminal justice system, such as individuals on probation, parole, or transitioning out of incarceration, who benefit from structured guidance, emotional regulation strategies, and support in rebuilding stability and self‑efficacy. My practice also extends to children and teenagers, who may be struggling with emotional regulation, behavior concerns, identity development, or academic and social pressures. I provide a supportive, developmentally informed environment that helps young clients build coping skills, strengthen communication, and navigate challenges with greater confidence. Additionally, I work with athletes and high‑performing individuals who are balancing intense physical, emotional, and performance demands. Through athletic counseling, I help clients integrate mental skills training, stress management, and performance psychology to enhance both well‑being and competitive success. Ultimately, my ideal client is someone who shows up with openness, effort, and a willingness to grow—someone ready to build the tools they need to navigate challenges with greater stability, confidence, and self‑awareness.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is a skills‑based, highly structured, emotionally validating therapy that teaches you how to navigate intense feelings without getting overwhelmed or acting in ways you later regret. I utilize these four components when working with people. Structured and predictable — You follow a curriculum of skills, worksheets, and weekly goals. Validating — I acknowledge your emotions without judgment. Challenging — You’re asked to change behaviors that may feel automatic or deeply ingrained. Skills-focused — Instead of just talking about problems, you practice concrete techniques. Collaborative — You and I work as a team, not in a top‑down dynamic.
Forensic Psychology
I have extensive experience working within correctional and court‑based settings, where I administered psychological assessments, evaluated behavioral functioning, and collaborated with justice‑system professionals. My work has included assessing individuals in jail environments as well as those on probation or parole, with a focus on risk, rehabilitation needs, and behavioral patterns relevant to legal decision‑making.