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

In our first session, the focus is on creating a space that feels safe, grounded, and respectful of what you are carrying. We will begin by talking about what led you to seek therapy at this point in your life and what you are hoping to gain from our work together. You are not expected to have everything clearly defined. Many clients arrive feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, and we will move at a pace that feels manageable. I will ask thoughtful questions to understand your current concerns, relevant personal and relational history, and any health or life stressors that may be impacting you. This is not an interrogation or an assessment you need to “get right.” It is a collaborative conversation designed to help me understand you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms. We will also talk about how therapy can support you, what has or has not been helpful in the past, and any boundaries or preferences that are important for you. If anxiety, grief, health-related stress, or reproductive trauma are part of your experience, we will approach these topics with care and intention. By the end of the session, my goal is for you to feel heard, understood, and slightly more grounded than when you arrived. We may begin identifying initial areas of focus and discuss what ongoing therapy could look like, but there is no pressure to make immediate decisions or dive into everything at once. The first session is about establishing trust, clarity, and a foundation for work that is steady, compassionate, and tailored to you.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My greatest strengths as a therapist are my ability to hold complexity without rushing, my clinical grounding, and my capacity to help clients make sense of what they are experiencing without pathologizing them. What often stands out to clients is that I work at the intersection of emotional insight and practical change. I do not rely on generic coping strategies or surface-level reassurance. Instead, I help clients understand why they feel the way they do, how their nervous system, history, health, and current demands interact, and what is realistically within their control. This clarity often brings relief on its own. I am especially skilled at working with anxiety, health-related stress, grief, and reproductive trauma, including the self-blame and internal pressure many clients carry. I help clients slow down patterns of over-responsibility, regulate emotional overwhelm, and shift from survival-based functioning into steadier, more intentional ways of living. Clients frequently report feeling more grounded, less reactive, and more compassionate toward themselves as therapy progresses. They gain language for their experiences, stronger boundaries around their energy and needs, and increased confidence in making decisions that align with their values rather than guilt or fear. My approach is calm, attuned, and honest, with a strong emphasis on helping clients feel supported while also empowered to move forward.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are adults who are carrying a great deal internally, even if they appear to be functioning well on the outside. They may be balancing work, family responsibilities, health concerns, or caregiving roles while feeling emotionally overwhelmed, anxious, or depleted. Many come to therapy feeling responsible for holding everything together and unsure where they fit in their own lives. I am especially well positioned to work with individuals living with chronic illness, navigating cancer or other health-related challenges, processing reproductive trauma, or grieving losses connected to health, fertility, or unexpected life changes. These clients often struggle with self-blame, guilt, or the belief that they should be coping “better,” despite facing circumstances that would be destabilizing for anyone. My ideal clients are thoughtful, self-aware, and ready to slow down long enough to understand what is happening beneath the surface. They are not looking for quick fixes, but for meaningful support, emotional steadiness, and practical tools that fit the reality of their lives. Their goals often include reducing anxiety, learning to regulate emotional overwhelm, making peace with their bodies and limitations, and rebuilding a sense of agency and self-trust. I work best with clients who want therapy to be a collaborative, grounded process. Together, we focus on clarifying values, addressing patterns of over-functioning and self-neglect, and creating sustainable ways to live that honor both responsibility and wellbeing. My role is to provide a steady, non-judgmental space where clients can feel understood, regain clarity, and move forward with greater confidence and intention.