LCSW, 14 years of experience
Frequently rebooked
Hi there! It takes strength and courage to begin something new; and with a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment, I believe that this is where it all begins. We're human and go through difficult times which can cause us much confusion and a need for guidance, hope, and support. I strongly believe that with an individualized, strength-based, and motivational approach, you can find a new direction and way of thinking to overcome the challenges that we are faced with in our everyday lives. With 14 years of family therapy experience and working with children, teenagers, and adults, I am convinced that everyone has the ability to take a step in the right direction to live a happier, more fulfilling life. My approach is action-oriented, effective, and based off of your goals. I have extensive experience working with substance abuse and criminal justice issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, loss, ADHD/ADD, and severe mental illness. I have developed a passion for clinical work while working in therapeutic group homes, outpatient therapy, school programs, and intensive in-home settings. I provide EMDR to reduce trauma-related symptoms. I’m eager to work with you and to schedule our first session together. I am incredibly passionate about providing trauma-focused, action-oriented and solution-focused therapy that is individualized and tailored to your vision and needs. I believe in serving as a positive and unconditional force throughout this process and creating a collaborative and warm approach so that you feel safe and in control.
Building a strong therapeutic relationship and ensuring that you feel comfortable is priority. I’m eager to hear your thoughts, explore therapeutic goals, and to formulate an attainable treatment plan so that you feel you’re making movement and building upon goals in every session. Long-lasting results, sustainable progress and healing, and acquiring new skills are the primary drivers of my sessions.
I feel my strengths are starting where my clients are and ensuring that they feel truly supported, heard, and advocated for in terms of their needs and goals. Clinical work is my heart and passion and my clients are at the center of it all. Eliciting positive change work is key and it’s vital for my clients to know that I am in their corner and will help them to achieve their goals. I believe in “thinking outside of the box” as there is no cookie-cutter approach, so that my clients are able to build upon their skill set and strengths.
I work with tweens - adults and also provide couples and family therapy sessions. Each chapter of our lives demand a different version of us and set of challenges, and I’m eager to help navigate any rough waters that may surface while reinforcing the development of new skills and perspective(s).
Acknowledging how our thoughts impact our feelings and behaviors is imperative. Let’s work together to shift perspective and to eliminate unhelpful thought patterns to reduce unwanted distress.
Developing a healthy attachment with ourselves as well as others is vital. It’s important to assess any negative early attachment experiences and their impact on our behaviors, thoughts, and views on the world in order to develop more secure and meaningful relationships. I believe this is the core of therapy and where it all begins. This process will result in effective communication strategies, healthy ways of expressing emotions, self-love and understanding, gaining self-trust, and improving self-esteem.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is one of the most effective trauma treatment(s) which allows us to reprocess traumatic events in a therapeutic and supportive environment, to desensitize heightened emotions attached to traumatic events, and to gain the necessary tools to overcome triggering and distressing memories. I am most passionate about this treatment approach as I’ve been utilizing it in my practice for over seven years, have witnessed incredible results, and studies show that EMDR shifts brain chemistry back to its healthy, initial state prior to when the traumatic event(s) occurred.
I am a firm believer that one of the most positive reinforcers of long-lasting change work, is deeply rooted in a strengths-based approach and acknowledging our inner resilience and building upon one’s skill set. Many of us don’t acknowledge our strengths as our brains are naturally wired for criticism and negative thought patterns when experiencing emotional distress.
Grief comes in many forms and can leave us feeling detached from the world and those around us. What happens after unforeseen losses and experiences occur? How do we navigate life after losing someone, ending a long-term relationship, exiting a career, or undergoing significant life transitions? It’s crucial that we process how grief has altered our world but while strengthening our mindset and means of coping, so that we can rebuild and continue to thrive despite loss and adversity.