Licensed to practice in 3 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Trauma and PTSD, Bipolar Disorder and 5 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I have been practicing for over 15 years. I have advanced training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Personality Disorders, Mood Disorders and Nutrition as well as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma. My work as a clinician evolved through my own recovery journey and my mental health. It is vital to me that clients feel heard, valued and also recognize that therapy is a safe space to process thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I have extensive experience in working with trauma, substance use, anxiety, depression and sexual assault and abuse. My goal is to partner with you and work with you from where you are at. I strive to ensure that the work goes at your pace so you are comfortable and feel connected. Recovery is real, no matter what you have been through. You are strong and capable and I work diligently to remind you of your value because I truly believe everyone is capable of change and can create the life they envision for themselves. If you have any questions, please reach out. I look forward to connecting with you.
The first session is spent getting to know you a bit. This will include gaining insight to your personal history, including details such as your upbringing, relationships, work, family and any diagnosed mental health conditions. I also seek to understand any medical issues or psychiatric care, so that I can form the most cohesive and comprehensive diagnostic assessment. I also take time for any questions or concerns you may have. It's important to me that clients feel comfortable and heard. Your voice, your story, play a role in the work ahead so I want to understand whatever you feel comfortable enough to share.
My approach depends in many ways on the client. Some clients value a lot of questions so they can think about what they are currently struggling with and discuss them. Other clients simply like to talk and vent so I allow space to do that, offering feedback and suggestions. I very much value the use of infographics and other educational materials, even homework. I also understand that this is not appealing to some and that is completely ok. I value humor and a relaxed approach. Just as I am getting to know you, you are getting to know me. I value transparency and aim to create a session that highlights what is meaningful to you while also prompting you to consider different responses. One of the main goals of therapy is to learn different tools to manage our situations, thoughts, feelings, behaviors and bodily sensations in a healthier way. I believe this is best accomplished through compassion, humor and flexibility.
I have extensive experience working with trauma and anxiety. I have my. own history of anxiety and trauma and I understand very well how these aspects can influence our life. I know how challenging it is to manage something that feels so large and out of control. I also know what it is to feel completely out of touch with my own body and the ways in which we feel those around us can tell what's happened to us just by looking at us. I found my way through, I know there is light and I know we can find our way out of the darkness. Anxiety is real, trauma is real, but they cannot break us. I'm living proof. In addition to these concerns, I have training in DBT so I have worked extensively with mood disorders, substance use and personality traits. I have worked with individuals across the lifespan, including in medical social work, foster care, domestic violence and with perpetrators of sexual violence. I currently work with adults with significant mental health conditions. I have experience working with individuals who are homeless and I have also worked with clients with legal histories. An ideal client is someone who is an adult and is struggling with life transitions and these transitions could be around any part of life. Although I don't work with couple's any longer, I have experience with relationship conflict and would welcome any client with needs in this area. Finally, I understand very well how hard it is to engage in therapy. I value individuals who come to me and express that they are not sure if therapy is for them. I do my best to create a sense of safety, to encourage the client to maintain the connection and to start the work.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT in my practice by educating clients on the process. By this I mean the connection between situations, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We all have a process and if we gain understanding to the ways in which these elements affect us, we can learn tools to avoid becoming reactive and instead approach life with wise mind, which is balance.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
CPT is an approach specific to trauma for individuals who carry a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This approach is limited to 12-15 sessions and does not require the person to share the specific details of their trauma. Instead, the work focuses on understanding a person's "stuck points" and how they contribute to distorted thought processes. The approach is validated and evidence-based.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I work with DBT from the lens of finding what might be useful to the person and then teaching specific skills. The modalities of DBT include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT and CBT are linked as all modalities stem from CBT. I provide education, teach skills and monitor progress based on each client's needs.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
This approach uses tools from DBT and encourages individuals to remain present in the moment. We do this by teaching strategies to help the person connect to what's going on around them. We also teach individuals how to avoid engaging in negative self-talk or blame.
Strength-Based
All therapeutic approaches are strength-based. In my work, I focus on the concerns the client reports and then their history so I can teach strategies that promote behaviors consistent with one's strengths. Many individuals believe they are unworthy, hold no value and that they are not worthy enough to feel good about themselves. Strengths-based approaches teach people to look at themselves without judgment so they can feel confident in learning new ways of thinking and behaving.