(he/him)
New to Grow
One of the bravest things you can do is begin to understand your own story. I applaud you on taking this first step in investing in your growth and personal development. Sometimes, we are faced with major life changes or challenges that alter our perspective on life, which directly impact our mental, emotional, and social well-being. By promoting a safe, judgement free, and shame free environment, my aim is to allow you the freedom to explore your experiences with a sense of curiosity, compassion, openness, and acceptance. I offer online counseling to individuals, families and groups to help them develop the skills necessary to successfully overcome challenges in life. My background as a high school and college counselor also gives me a wealth of experience to draw from when working with families, adolescents, and young adults. As your therapist, I believe that the healing process begins by creating a safe environment and building and maintaining a strong therapeutic relationship. My ultimate goal is to empower you to make positive life changes while helping you develop confidence in your ability to achieve a healthy balance in all aspects of your life.
In the first session, clients can expect a welcoming, supportive space where the primary focus is on getting to know them and understanding what brings them to therapy. I begin by reviewing confidentiality, informed consent, and any questions about the therapy process so clients feel informed and comfortable. We then spend time discussing current concerns, relevant history, and what they are hoping to gain from therapy. I may ask questions about emotional, relational, and behavioral patterns to better understand their experiences, but clients are always encouraged to share at a pace that feels comfortable for them. I also introduce my therapeutic approach and begin collaboratively identifying initial goals for treatment. This helps establish direction while ensuring that therapy is tailored to the client’s needs. By the end of the session, clients typically leave with a clearer sense of how we will work together and what the next steps will look like. My goal in the first session is to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and supported as we begin the therapeutic process.
My approach stands out because it intentionally integrates multiple evidence-based models—such as CBT, DBT, and Person-Centered Therapy—rather than relying on a single framework. This allows me to tailor treatment to each client’s specific needs, goals, and readiness for change. I balance structure with flexibility. When clients need practical tools and skill-building, I incorporate structured interventions like cognitive restructuring or DBT skills. When clients need space to process and feel understood, I shift toward a more person-centered stance grounded in empathy, validation, and presence. I also emphasize collaboration throughout the therapeutic process. Clients are active participants in setting goals, identifying patterns, and choosing strategies that feel realistic and meaningful for their lives. Overall, my approach stands out because it is both evidence-based and relational—focused not only on symptom reduction, but also on helping clients build insight, emotional resilience, and long-term coping skills within a supportive therapeutic relationship.
I am best positioned to serve clients who are experiencing challenges related to emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, relationship stress, and life transitions. Many of the clients I work with may feel overwhelmed, stuck in unhelpful patterns, or unsure of how to cope effectively with daily stressors. I also work well with clients who are motivated to increase self-awareness and are open to learning practical coping skills, even if they may initially feel uncertain about the therapy process. This includes individuals who are ready to explore the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as those who benefit from structured support in building healthier routines and communication patterns. Additionally, I am well-suited to clients who value a collaborative therapeutic relationship and are willing to engage in reflection and skill-building between sessions. This may include individuals working toward goals such as improving emotional stability, strengthening relationships, increasing self-esteem, or processing difficult life experiences in a supportive environment. Overall, my approach is a good fit for clients seeking both emotional support and practical strategies for change in a safe, structured, and empathetic space.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a structured, goal-oriented approach focused on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I begin by helping clients understand the CBT model and identify how their thoughts influence their emotional and behavioral responses. We then work to identify automatic thoughts that show up in distressing situations and explore common cognitive distortions, such as catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking. From there, I support clients in challenging and reframing unhelpful thoughts through cognitive restructuring, using questions that examine evidence and alternative perspectives. I also incorporate behavioral strategies such as behavioral activation, exposure techniques, and coping skill practice to help clients apply new learning in real-life situations. Between sessions, clients often complete brief homework assignments like thought records or behavior tracking to reinforce skills. Overall, CBT in my work is practical and skills-based, aimed at helping clients develop healthier thinking patterns and more effective coping strategies.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
In my practice, I use Person-Centered Therapy by creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely heard, accepted, and understood. The foundation of this approach is the therapeutic relationship, so I focus on building trust through empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. Rather than directing the session or providing immediate solutions, I allow clients to lead the process and explore their own thoughts and feelings at their pace. I use reflective listening and clarification to help clients deepen their self-understanding and feel validated in their experiences. I also emphasize the client’s inherent capacity for growth and self-direction. My role is to support clients in gaining insight, increasing self-awareness, and moving toward greater congruence between their self-image and lived experiences. Overall, my use of Person-Centered Therapy is grounded in respect for the client’s autonomy and belief in their ability to find their own solutions when provided with a safe, empathic therapeutic environment.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients build skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, especially when they struggle with intense emotions or impulsive behaviors. I typically begin by introducing the core DBT framework, emphasizing the balance between acceptance and change. I validate the client’s emotional experiences while also helping them identify areas where new skills can improve functioning and reduce suffering. A key part of DBT in my work is teaching and practicing concrete skills. For mindfulness, I help clients become more aware of the present moment without judgment. For distress tolerance, we focus on strategies to cope with crises without making things worse. Emotional regulation skills help clients understand and manage strong emotions, and interpersonal effectiveness skills support healthier communication and boundaries. I often use diary cards or tracking tools to help clients monitor emotions, behaviors, and skill use between sessions. We then review these together to identify patterns and reinforce progress. Overall, DBT in my practice is structured, skills-based, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on helping clients develop practical tools to manage emotions and improve relationships while maintaining self-acceptance.