As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 13 years of experience, I have found the most valuable aspect of therapy to be a strong therapeutic relationship. I believe in honoring your expertise in your own life and see my role as a compassionate guide, helping you gain insights and create meaningful change. I take an integrative approach to therapy, with a primary focus on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques. I am passionate about supporting people navigating life transitions, recovering from trauma, or struggling with depression and anxiety. My goal is to empower you with the tools and skills needed to better understand and manage your emotions to gain a greater sense of contentment and fulfillment in your life.
Our first session will be about getting comfortable with each other. I will ask a lot of questions in order to get to know you and your symptoms so we can develop a plan that will meet your needs. Many people feel worried about their first session. I assure you that we can talk about as little or as much as you feel comfortable.
First and foremost I provide a safe, non judgmental space for people to explore their emotions and experiences. In addition, I have a deep understanding of various treatment modalities as well as how important it is to meet people where they are and tailor the approach to you acknowledging that there is no “one size fits all” approach to therapy.
I am best positioned to serve people who are struggling with ongoing depressed mood, anxiety including general worry, panic attacks or obsessive thinking in addition to those navigating life transitions such as career changes, relationship challenges or loss. I provide an LGBT affirming space where people of all identities feel safe and respected. My primary approaches to treatment (CBT and Mindfulness) can be particularly beneficial for those seeking a better understanding of themselves, achieve greater emotional balance and identify healthy ways to cope with their emotions and experiences.
I have a solid understanding of attachment theory as it is the basis for all relationships and interactions. In the past I have used an approach called “theraplay” to encourage attachments between children and their caregivers. In current practice, I use this approach to gain a better understanding of my clients and to help them gain insight into their thoughts and behaviors.
This treatment modality is the basis for much of my treatment. I have used this modality for the entirety of my career and find that helping people recognize the interplay between their thoughts, feelings and behaviors can greatly help them create change in their lives and have a healthier emotional experience.
I have had some training in DBT skills and historically ran a DBT skills group for teens. Though I do not use this type of treatment alone, I find it to be helpful in helping people understand skills for emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness and distress tolerance.
I have training in Exposure and Response Prevention through Penn University’s Clinic for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety. This approach is particularly helpful for those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Mindfulness has growing evidence for its effectiveness in stress management. This is an integral part of many of our sessions as I believe training yourself to be “in the moment” and “observe, describe and participate” in the moment is crucial to our emotional well being.