Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Foster Care/Adoption, Trauma and PTSD and 8 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
"The best way out is always through." - Robert Frost I'm an LCSW with 20 years of experience helping people through hard things. I've spent my career in community mental health, primarily working with children impacted by trauma and the caregivers who love them. Through telehealth, I am open to working with both teens and adults. I have a deep understanding of trauma, including foster care and adoption. I also understand the challenges that come from raising children who are neurodiverse and/or display trauma-based behaviors. I love working with adults who have parenting struggles or need support around managing challenging behaviors. I also love working with teens and adults struggling with anxiety and/or depression. I received my Masters in Social Service at Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research with a specialization in child and family well-being in 2006. I'm a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and am licensed in both Pennsylvania and Florida.
During a first session, we'll focus on getting to know each other. You'll share what's important for me to know about you and what you'd like to work on together. You'll tell me what you've already tried, what's worked, and what hasn't. For teenage clients, a first session includes the parent/caregiver.
I love Jennifer Breheny Wallace's book "Mattering," which she defines as "the feeling that we are valued and have value to add to the world." It's deeper than belonging. "Mattering is like gravity: unseen but essential." It keeps us steady. During our sessions together, I see you, and you matter. And we can build on that foundation. I do a lot of listening and helping you make sense of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I might suggest things others have tried or challenge you to consider other perspectives. Therapy is a relationship, and I am open to feedback about how things are working and what is most helpful for you.
It's a really brave thing to show up and share the most vulnerable parts of yourself. My ideal client is one willing to be vulnerable, and you've already taken the first step by trying to find someone who might be a good fit. I work well with teens and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, and/or trauma. I work well with clients who are open to more helpful ways of thinking--or even just considering what that might be like.
Other specialties
I identify as
Trauma Informed Care
I really like looking at things through the lens of trauma. Our experiences shape who we are, and making meaning out of those experiences helps us heal. Trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care is crucial: I want you to feel safe in the therapeutic relationship and have control over what and how much you share. I'll help you identify and practice ways to stay grounded in the present even when talking about difficult things in the past.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people connect their thoughts, feelings, behavior, and body physiology. If we can change the messages we tell ourselves to something more helpful, our feelings, behaviors, and body physiology will also shift. Trauma-focused CBT uses these strategies to process through and make sense of traumatic experiences.
Relational
The therapeutic relationship between you and and your counselor is the most important part of therapy. It's where healing happens. Throughout therapy, I'll check in about how you feel like we're doing together.
Strength-Based
There are so many situations and experiences that are just so difficult and feel impossible. I wish I had a magic wand to make things instantly better. I don't. But I can work with you to find and build on your strengths so things feel more manageable. You wouldn't be asking for help if there wasn't at least a small part of you that thinks change might be possible. That's strength number one. We can build on that.