(he/him)
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Virginia, dedicated to helping individuals move from feeling overwhelmed or stuck toward a more grounded and intentional life. I work with adolescents and adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, stress, and identity-related concerns. My approach is collaborative, supportive, and tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. In therapy, I draw from psychodynamic principles to help clients better understand how past experiences and relational patterns may be influencing current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. At the same time, I incorporate reality therapy to keep the work practical and present-focused—helping clients clarify what they want, what they are doing, and whether their current choices are moving them closer to or further from their goals. This balance allows us to explore deeper emotional roots while also building concrete strategies for change. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a safe, honest, and nonjudgmental space. I aim to meet clients where they are without pressure, while also gently challenging them to grow. My style is warm, direct, and grounded in respect for each person’s lived experience. I am especially interested in working with clients who are ready to take an active role in their healing process, even if they are unsure where to start. Together, we focus on building insight, strengthening coping skills, and creating meaningful, sustainable change. My practice is designed to be accessible and supportive, whether you are seeking short-term guidance through a specific challenge or longer-term work focused on deeper emotional growth and self-understanding.
In your first session with me, the primary goal is to create a space where you feel safe, heard, and not rushed. Starting therapy can feel uncertain or even intimidating, so we begin at a pace that allows you to settle in, ask questions, and get a sense of how I work. You do not need to prepare anything in advance or have the “right words.” We will simply begin where you are. At the start of the session, I will review basic information about confidentiality, its limits, and how therapy works in my practice. This includes discussing your rights as a client, what you can expect from me as your therapist, and how we will handle privacy and safety. I also explain my general approach to therapy so you have a clear understanding of how we will work together. After that, I will invite you to share what brought you to therapy at this time. Some clients come in with a very clear issue they want to address, such as anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, or a recent life transition. Others may feel a general sense of being stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected without fully knowing why. Either way is completely okay. There is no “correct” starting point. As you share your story, I will listen closely and may ask gentle questions to better understand your experiences. These questions are not meant to interrogate or overwhelm you, but to help us begin identifying patterns, stressors, strengths, and goals. You are always in control of how much you choose to share, and we can pause or slow down at any time. A key part of the first session is collaboration. We will begin to identify what you want from therapy. This might include relief from specific symptoms, improved coping skills, better relationships, increased self-understanding, or clarity about a life decision. You do not need to have fully formed goals yet; we can shape them together over time. I also pay attention to your strengths, not just your struggles. Many clients are used to focusing on what feels wrong or difficult, but I believe it is equally important to understand what has helped you survive, adapt, and persist up to this point. This strength-based perspective becomes an important part of our work moving forward. During the session, I may begin to gently explore how past experiences may be connected to current challenges. This is part of my psychodynamic approach, which helps us understand patterns that may be outside of immediate awareness. For example, we might explore how early relationships
What defines my work as a clinician is the combination of diverse clinical experience, integrative use of therapeutic modalities, and a strong commitment to building authentic, collaborative relationships with clients. Over the course of my career, I have worked across multiple mental health and institutional settings, each of which has shaped how I understand emotional distress, human behavior, resilience, and the process of meaningful change. This range of experience allows me to meet clients where they are, emotionally, psychologically, and situationally—while adapting my approach to best support their individual needs in a flexible, grounded, and clinically informed way. My clinical background includes work in community mental health, crisis intervention environments, structured outpatient treatment settings, and government service within the United States Senate. Each of these environments has strengthened different aspects of my clinical skill set and contributed to a well-rounded, adaptable therapeutic approach that is both relationally attuned and practically effective. In community-based mental health settings, I supported individuals navigating complex and often layered life challenges such as chronic stress, trauma histories, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, housing instability, and limited access to resources. This work required a high In crisis-oriented settings, including collaboration with emergency services and multidisciplinary teams, I developed the ability to remain calm, focused, and clinically grounded during high-pressure and emotionally intense situations. I worked with individuals experiencing acute distress, suicidal ideation, severe anxiety, and significant life destabilization. These experiences strengthened my ability to conduct rapid clinical assessments, prioritize safety, and provide immediate stabilization while maintaining empathy and respect for each individual. Crisis work also taught me the importance of seeing beyond the moment of crisis—understanding the person’s broader story, strengths, and vulnerabilities—so that intervention was not only reactive but also meaningful and human-centered. of cultural humility, flexibility, and persistence in engagement. Many clients were not only dealing with internal emotional struggles but also external systems that created ongoing stress and barriers to care. In these environments, I learned that meaningful therapeutic progress begins with consistency, trust, and t
I work best with adults who are motivated to better understand themselves, improve their emotional well-being, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives. Many of my clients come to therapy experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic stress, grief and loss, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, or feeling stuck in life transitions. I also have a strong interest in supporting helping professionals, first responders, and individuals working in high-stress environments who may be experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, or difficulty balancing personal and professional demands. My ideal clients may not have all the answers when they begin therapy, but they are open to self-reflection, curiosity, and trying new approaches. They may feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or uncertain about their next steps, yet still hold a desire for growth and healing. In our work together, I provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space where we can explore challenges, identify patterns that may be holding you back, and build on your existing strengths. I integrate evidence-based approaches to help you develop practical coping skills, increase emotional awareness, and improve how you relate to yourself and others. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, empowered, and capable of navigating life’s challenges with greater confidence and clarity. Ultimately, I am best positioned to serve clients who are ready to engage in the process of change, even if it feels uncomfortable at times, and who want to move toward a more balanced, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
I identify as
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help you understand the different “parts” of yourself—like the part that worries, gets angry, avoids, or feels hurt. Together, we'll explore these parts with curiosity rather than judgment, helping you better understand yourself, heal emotional wounds, and create lasting change from the inside out.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Together, we'll identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge negative beliefs, and develop practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and life challenges. The goal is to help you make positive changes and feel more in control of your life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you manage intense emotions, reduce stress, and improve relationships. Together, we'll learn practical skills to stay calm during difficult moments, cope with challenges in healthy ways, communicate effectively, and make choices that align with your goals and values.
EMDR
I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help you heal from painful memories, trauma, and distressing life experiences. EMDR helps your brain process difficult events in a healthier way, so they feel less overwhelming. Many clients find they can think about past experiences with less emotional pain and greater peace.
Psychodynamic
I use psychodynamic therapy to help you understand how past experiences, relationships, and patterns may be affecting your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors today. Together, we'll explore these deeper influences, increase self-awareness, and uncover insights that can help you make healthier choices, improve relationships, and create lasting change.