New to Grow
As a licensed clinical therapist, I am passionate about walking alongside clients as they discover and grow into their best selves. I strive to create a safe, supportive space grounded in strong rapport, collaboration, empowerment, and authenticity — a place where transparency is welcomed and even silence is respected as part of the healing process. I help clients recognize patterns of negative self-talk and learn practical, effective ways to reframe those thoughts, while cultivating self-compassion and a deeper understanding of their inherent worth. My approach focuses on identifying and building upon each person’s strengths to foster resilience, clarify personal values, and establish healthy boundaries that protect their energy and well-being. Together, we work to reduce guilt and shame, strengthen a sense of identity, and reinforce the truth that you matter. My goal is to help clients move beyond survival into a life marked by genuine joy, inner peace, and alignment with what is most meaningful to them.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During the first therapy session, we take a compassionate and comprehensive deep dive into your story — exploring your background, current concerns, and the experiences that have shaped where you are today. Together, we identify barriers that may have prevented you from seeking or fully engaging in treatment in the past, as well as how your struggles with mood, anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, or life transitions are impacting your daily functioning, relationships, work, and overall well-being. This initial conversation creates a foundation of understanding, safety, and trust while helping clarify what you hope will be different as a result of therapy. We then begin collaborating on a personalized treatment plan, outlining meaningful goals and measurable objectives tailored to your needs, strengths, and values. I explain how this plan serves as a roadmap for our work together — guiding the therapeutic process, tracking progress, adjusting interventions as needed, and ensuring that our sessions remain purposeful, supportive, and aligned with the outcomes that matter most to you.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What stands out about me as a clinician is my unwavering commitment to meeting people exactly where they are, without judgment, pretense, or pressure. I strive to be genuine, compassionate, and consistently supportive, creating a safe space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. Advocacy is at the heart of my work — I am deeply committed to helping clients access resources, find their voice, and navigate systems that impact their lives. With over 20 years of experience in the social work field, I bring both clinical expertise and real-world understanding to the therapeutic relationship. My greatest accomplishments are not titles or credentials, but the privilege of witnessing and contributing to clients’ meaningful transformations and improved quality of life. I integrate evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, compassion-focused therapy, and strengths-based practices, tailoring each to the unique needs, goals, and strengths of the individual. My goal is to help clients build insight, resilience, and practical skills so they can create lasting change and move toward a life that feels authentic, empowered, and fulfilling.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client is someone navigating depression, anxiety, or significant life and career transitions who feels a deep desire for growth and meaningful change. They may struggle with emotional regulation, self-esteem, and uncertainty about their next steps, yet possess an underlying mindset oriented toward transformation. This client understands that real change requires courage and is willing to step into discomfort in order to build lasting comfort, recognizing that healing and growth are a journey, not a race. They are motivated to develop a more positive, resilient mindset and are open to learning and consistently practicing effective coping skills. They view therapy as a holistic process that supports emotional, mental, and practical well-being, and they are ready to do the work both inside and outside of sessions. Along the way, they value celebrating small wins, embracing their authentic self, and aligning their life with their core values and strengths. Ultimately, they seek not just symptom relief but true transformation — creating a life characterized by purpose, peace, joy, and confidence in their ability to navigate whatever comes next.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In practice, I utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) by helping clients increase psychological flexibility through mindfulness, acceptance of difficult thoughts and emotions, and values-driven action. I support clients in learning how to observe their internal experiences without judgment while reducing experiential avoidance and unhelpful cognitive fusion. Through this process, clients clarify their core values and commit to meaningful behavioral changes that align with the life they want to build.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that influence their emotions and behaviors. I guide clients in developing healthier, more balanced thinking while building practical coping strategies to manage anxiety, depression, anger, and stress. Through structured interventions, skill-building, and homework assignments, clients learn to apply new tools outside of sessions to create lasting change.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I integrate mindfulness-based therapy by teaching clients how to increase present-moment awareness and observe their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without judgment. I incorporate breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and guided mindfulness practices to help reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation. This approach supports clients in developing greater self-awareness, stress tolerance, and intentional responses rather than automatic reactions.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore and resolve ambivalence about change in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. I utilize open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations to strengthen clients’ intrinsic motivation and confidence. This collaborative approach empowers clients to identify their own reasons for change and take meaningful, self-directed steps forward.
Strength-Based
In practice, I use a strengths-based approach by helping clients identify their existing skills, resilience, and past successes as a foundation for growth. I intentionally highlight progress, reinforce personal strengths, and reframe challenges as opportunities for development. This perspective empowers clients to build confidence and utilize their internal and external resources to create meaningful change.