Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

It's completely normal for finding the right therapist to feel daunting – the rapport you build is just as important as the therapy itself. Whether you're new to this process or you've been in therapy before, you likely know what resonates with you. My aim for our first meeting is to start exactly where you are. Beyond your specific goals, I'll encourage you to think about how you want to feel in a month, six months, and even a year from now. My work centers on the relationship you have with yourself, and we'll explore that from our very first conversation. Our initial session is all about you determining if I'm the right fit for your unique needs and goals. There's no pressure; it's simply a chance for us to connect, for you to share what brings you to therapy, and for me to answer any questions. Ultimately, I'll encourage you to trust your gut feeling about whether this is the right space for you.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

With Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we focus on helping you change your relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings. Instead of getting stuck in a battle with your inner emotions, you'll learn to accept them as natural human responses that don't need to prevent you from living a full life. This isn't about ignoring pain; it's about making space for it while still moving forward in directions that truly matter to you. You'll learn to acknowledge your hardships and commit to making meaningful changes in your behavior, regardless of your internal experience. Have you ever found yourself saying, "I KNOW that, but I don't FEEL that"? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful tool I use to help bridge that gap, integrating what you intellectually understand with how you emotionally feel. It's a structured therapy designed to reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories. During sessions, you'll briefly focus on a challenging memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (like eye movements). This process helps to lessen the vividness and emotional intensity of the memory, allowing you to process it in a healthier way. I'm also trained to provide EMDR effectively via telehealth, making this transformative therapy accessible from wherever you are.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I'm best positioned to serve clients who are ready to invest in themselves and explore their inner world to find lasting change. While every individual's journey is unique, I particularly enjoy working with those grappling with: The Relationship with Self "You have to love yourself first"—this idea is inspiring, but the practical steps often feel out of reach. My work centers on helping you truly understand and improve your relationship with yourself, and this is what energizes me. Through our sessions, you can expect a significant shift in how you view yourself. Think of it like being lost in a maze, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. My role is to help lift you to take a bird's-eye view. The maze itself doesn't change, but your path forward suddenly becomes clear. This shift in perspective can be transformative, helping you navigate life with greater clarity and self-compassion. Grief I value working with clients who are navigating various forms of grief. While often associated with loss due to death, grief extends far beyond. *Chronic illness: Grieving the life you once had or expected. *Lost expectations: When life doesn't turn out as you envisioned. *Relationship changes: The pain of a significant relationship ending. *Parental acceptance: Coming to terms with your parents not being the people you needed them to be. *Infertility: The unique and often silent grief of unfulfilled dreams of parenthood. *Identity shifts: The grief that often arises when you make significant positive changes in your own life, leading to shifts in existing relationships. Trauma The word trauma is widely used, and many people I work with wonder if their experiences "qualify" for trauma-informed treatment. I want to assure you that your unique experiences are valid and worth exploring. I invite you to discuss what you've been through; I can explain how my approaches can specifically benefit you in your healing journey. Your past experiences, no matter how they impact you, deserve attention and care.