LMFT, 10 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, and welcome. I’m a licensed therapist who is passionate about walking alongside people as they navigate life’s challenges. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals facing trauma, anxiety, depression, and addictions, and I’ve seen firsthand how healing and growth are possible even in the most difficult seasons. In my practice, I draw from evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), often weaving in Motivational Interviewing to strengthen motivation and confidence for change. I don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach; instead, I focus on tailoring therapy to your unique needs, values, and goals. My style is collaborative, supportive, and practical — I want you to leave each session with tools you can use right away, as well as long-term strategies for building resilience and meaning in your life. Beyond direct clinical work, I also train and supervise other mental health professionals in these methods, which not only keeps me current with new developments but also continually sharpens my skills. This work reflects my deep belief in the power of learning and growth, both for my clients and for myself. On a personal note, I bring warmth, curiosity, and a down-to-earth perspective into the therapy room. Clients often tell me they appreciate that I can be both compassionate and direct — encouraging them while also challenging them to see new possibilities. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy teaching, writing, and connecting with people across cultures and communities. My hope is to create a safe and supportive space where you feel understood, equipped, and empowered to move toward a more purposeful and fulfilling life.
Beginning therapy is both an act of courage and an act of hope. Most people come to their first session wishing for a life with less emotional pain, more satisfying relationships, and a greater sense of direction in reaching their personal goals. My role from the very beginning is to honor that hope, create a safe and supportive space, and help you begin taking concrete steps toward the changes you want to see. In our first meeting, you can expect a balance of getting to know each other and beginning the work of therapy. We’ll start with a conversation about what brings you in at this point in your life. You don’t need to have everything figured out or present a polished story—just start where you are. Some people share openly right away, while others prefer to move slowly; either way is absolutely fine. I’ll ask questions to help guide the conversation, and together we’ll explore what matters most to you and what you’d like life to look like if therapy is successful. At the same time, I believe that even the first session should be useful and practical. While we are building trust and establishing a foundation for collaboration, I’ll also help you identify one or two steps you can begin practicing immediately to move closer to your goals. My approach is always collaborative: therapy is not something I do to you, but something we create together. I’ll listen carefully to your values and priorities, and we’ll begin shaping a path forward that feels meaningful and realistic. You’ll also get a sense of my style and how I work. I draw from evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), often integrating Motivational Interviewing to strengthen motivation and confidence for change. Clients often tell me they appreciate that I bring warmth and encouragement, while also being direct and practical, making sure sessions lead to insight as well as action. My goal is to help you leave even the very first session feeling both supported and empowered. By the end of our time together, you can expect to have a clearer understanding of your goals, a sense of what our work together will look like, and some practical strategies or reflections to take with you. Many clients leave that first meeting with a feeling of relief from having shared their story in a safe, nonjudgmental space, along with a greater sense of direction about where they are headed. Others find themselves ref
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is the balance I bring between professional expertise and genuine human connection. I am experienced and well-trained, and I often receive referrals from fellow professionals who trust me to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care. Yet what truly drives me is my love for the work itself — listening deeply, honoring each person’s unique story, and walking alongside them as they move toward healing and growth. What stands out most about my approach is the way I look beneath the surface to discover what matters most to my clients. I believe therapy is not only about reducing symptoms but also about clarifying and living out one’s deepest values. Those values are central to who we are, and when they are honored and acted upon, clients often find strength, meaning, and resilience that they didn’t know they had. I am curious, supportive, and open, and I enjoy bringing warmth and even humor into sessions when it helps lighten the weight of difficult work. I also see therapy as a two-way learning process. I value hearing from my clients about their culture, spirituality, and life experiences, and I welcome these perspectives into the therapy room because they are often vitally important in the healing process. Another strength is my willingness to join clients in the most vulnerable parts of their journey. Many people fear that their darkest or most painful experiences are too heavy to share, yet I believe those are the very places where healing can begin. I am not shy about going with my clients into those difficult spaces — whether they are marked by shame, grief, or uncertainty — and I do so with compassion, patience, and respect. Above all, I bring hope. I see therapy as a partnership in which clients discover not only how to feel better but how to live better: with less emotional pain, more fulfilling relationships, and greater alignment with their values and goals.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of people, but there are certain clients and concerns that I find myself especially equipped — and passionate — to support. I am best positioned to serve individuals who feel “stuck” in cycles of anxiety, depression, trauma, or addiction, and who are motivated to make meaningful changes but may feel uncertain about where to start. Often my clients come in carrying the weight of painful experiences, self-doubt, or unhelpful habits of thinking and behaving. They may feel lost, disconnected from their sense of purpose, or overwhelmed by emotions they struggle to manage. My role is to help them discover new ways of understanding themselves, build practical skills, and reconnect with what matters most in their lives. I often work with people who have survived trauma — whether it’s a single event, ongoing stress, or early life experiences that continue to shape how they see the world today. Many of these clients are looking not only for symptom relief but also for deeper healing: to feel safe in their own skin again, to rebuild trust in themselves and others, and to move toward a life that is not defined by what happened to them. I also serve individuals struggling with substance use or addictive patterns. These clients are often looking for a way to break free from behaviors that once provided relief but now feel controlling or destructive. I understand that recovery is not just about stopping a behavior — it’s about creating a more meaningful life, one where purpose, values, and healthier coping strategies take center stage. Another group I work well with are those facing anxiety and depression. Some come in with racing thoughts, sleepless nights, or constant worry. Others describe feeling flat, unmotivated, or unable to experience joy. Many have tried pushing these feelings away, only to find them returning even stronger. My work helps clients break these cycles by challenging unhelpful thought patterns, building emotional regulation skills, and fostering acceptance and self-compassion. In terms of mindset, I am especially effective with clients who are open to exploring new perspectives and willing to actively participate in the process. You don’t need to know exactly what you want when you start therapy — that’s something we can discover together — but a willingness to be honest, to reflect, and to try out new strategies is what makes the biggest difference. I often remind clients that
I have extensive experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through both formal training and clinical practice, and I also train and supervise mental health professionals in its use. In my practice, I use CBT as a structured, goal-oriented approach to help clients identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior. I integrate techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and skills training, tailoring them to the unique needs of each client. I often apply CBT with concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use, while also combining it with other evidence-based approaches when appropriate. My focus is on helping clients and those I train develop practical coping strategies and long-term skills that foster lasting change.
I am trained in Mindfulness-Based Therapy and have developed a treatment program that applies mindfulness practices to the treatment of trauma, addictions, and anxiety disorders. In my clinical work, I use mindfulness to help clients increase present-moment awareness, reduce reactivity, and cultivate healthier coping strategies. I also train and supervise professionals in integrating mindfulness into therapy, emphasizing both evidence-based techniques and practical applications. My approach focuses on helping clients develop skills that enhance resilience, self-regulation, and long-term recovery.
I am trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and regularly integrate it with Motivational Interviewing to support clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma. In practice, I use ACT to help clients develop psychological flexibility by clarifying values, increasing acceptance, and engaging in committed action, while Motivational Interviewing enhances readiness and motivation for change. I also provide training and supervision in these approaches, focusing on their combined effectiveness in empowering clients to live more purposeful, values-driven lives.