New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 16 years of experience working with adults and adolescents facing crisis, addiction, and trauma-related issues. I have worked in inpatient treatment, medication assisted treatment, outpatient treatment, and am now in private practice. My style is honest, assertive, and solutions-oriented. I am not a passive therapist, and I work best with clients who are motivated to engage fully in the therapeutic process.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In your first session with me, you can expect a focused, structured conversation designed to help me understand what’s bringing you to therapy and what you want to change. We’ll talk about your current concerns, relevant history, and what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past. I will ask direct questions and may challenge you at times—not to judge you, but to help us get to the root of the issue rather than staying on the surface. You do not need to know exactly what to say or how to talk about your feelings. Many clients come in unsure or uncomfortable opening up, and part of my role is to help guide the conversation in a way that feels manageable and productive. Therapy with me is active and solutions-focused; we will begin identifying patterns and practical next steps early in the process. My goal in the first session is to establish a clear understanding of your needs, determine whether we are a good fit, and begin building an honest, respectful therapeutic relationship grounded in integrity and accountability.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What sets my approach apart is that I am an active, honest, and solutions-oriented therapist. I do not take a passive role in sessions, and I work best with clients who are ready to engage in the process. I am known for helping clients who struggle to talk about emotions open up and get to the heart of what is driving their challenges. I believe effective therapy is built on integrity, accountability, and a commitment to real change.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I help clients move past surface-level conversations to uncover the underlying issues that keep them stuck. Clients often report appreciating my directness and my ability to help them open up, even when discussing emotions feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable. I believe effective therapy requires integrity, transparency, accountability, and a willingness to do the work necessary for real healing.
Motivational Interviewing
In my work with new clients, I use Motivational Interviewing to establish a collaborative, honest foundation while assessing readiness for change. Rather than persuading or confronting too early, I focus on evoking clients’ own motivation by exploring goals, values, and ambivalence, and by identifying patterns that may be keeping them stuck. I take an active, direct stance while respecting client autonomy, using clear feedback and strategic questioning to move beyond surface-level discussion. This approach helps reduce resistance, supports clients who are uncomfortable discussing emotions, and allows us to transition efficiently from exploration into structured, solutions-focused change work when clients are ready.
Trauma Informed Care
I use a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes safety, trust, and respect while recognizing how past experiences can shape current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This means I am attentive to pace, choice, and collaboration, and I work to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel grounded and in control. At the same time, I am active and direct in helping clients understand patterns, build effective coping strategies, and address the underlying impact of trauma rather than avoiding it. My goal is to support meaningful healing without re-traumatization, balancing compassion with clarity and purposeful work.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how these patterns can contribute to distress and feeling stuck. CBT in my work is practical, structured, and focused on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors while developing more effective coping strategies. We actively work on applying these skills to real-life situations rather than limiting therapy to insight alone. The goal is to help clients gain clarity, build emotional regulation, and create lasting, meaningful change through consistent, intentional effort.
Mind-body approach
I utilize a mind-body approach that recognizes the connection between emotional experiences, physical sensations, and the nervous system. This work helps clients understand how stress, trauma, and emotional patterns are held in the body, often outside of conscious awareness. We focus on increasing bodily awareness, regulation, and grounding so clients can respond rather than react to internal and external stressors. By integrating mind-body techniques with insight and practical strategies, this approach supports deeper healing, improved emotional regulation, and a greater sense of control and stability.