(he/him)
New to Grow
With over two decades of dedicated service in student support and mental health, I bring a wealth of experience to my the clients that I provide service to. For the past 22 years, I have served as a school counselor within a public high school system, navigating the complex social, emotional, and academic landscapes that adolescents face today. In addition to my work in a high school setting, I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for the past 11 years, allowing me to provide a high level of clinical expertise and therapeutic support to a diverse range of clients. My approach is grounded in empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of human development. Additionally, I specialize in the area of Sport Counseling. Recognizing the unique psychological demands of performance and athletics, I have attained an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Sport Counseling. This specialized training allows me to support athletes and high-performers in managing performance anxiety, building mental resilience, and balancing the pressures of competitive environments with personal well-being. Whether you are navigating life transitions, seeking to improve your mental performance, or looking for clinical support, I am committed to helping you achieve your goals in a safe and supportive environment.
First and foremost, I believe it is essential for a therapist and client to establish a good rapport in order to have successful outcomes in therapy. Rapport building will be an integral and dominant part of the first session, and will continue in future sessions. Additionally, during the first session, I will complete a biopsychosocial assessment. This will include a series of broad questions to get a holistic view of your life. Topics generally include: History, Current Symptoms, Medical/Physical Health, etc. Lastly, we will conclude the session with goal setting. We will begin, collaboratively, to define what success/progress looks like for you. What do you hope to change over the next few weeks/months? Are there specific skills you want to learn and develop (ex: stress management, communication skills, time management, organization skills, etc.)? This will assist me in creating a roadmap for your future sessions. Some important reminders that I like to share with potential clients are: (1) You don't have to share everything on the first session. If a question feels to heavy for day one, it is perfectly okay to say, "I'm not ready to talk about that yet." (2) It might feel awkward, especially if this is your first time in counseling. It's normal to feel a bit nervous or "exposed" when talking to a stranger about your life. That feeling usually fades by the second or third session. This is why I dedicate much of the first session on rapport building. (3) Remember that you are taking a big first step in getting help to improve the quality of your life! We are in this together and I will do my best to assist you on this journey!
With over 20 years of experience supporting individuals through life's ups and downs, I've learned that the most important part of therapy is feeling truly seen and understood. Sessions will allow a space where we can work together to untangle life's complexities with compassion and a little bit of humor. I believe that while life can be demanding, you don't have to navigate the path alone. I see therapy as a collaborative journey, where I will help you tap into a resilience you might not realize you already have. My goal is to assist you move past just "getting through the day" so you can start feeling the strongest, most authentic version of yourself. In our sessions, we'll focus on finding a sense of balance in a world that often feels overwhelming. Whether you are navigating the pressures of high-stakes environments or simply looking for more peace in your daily life, I offer a grounded, supportive partnership. We will work at your pace, focusing on gentle shifts that lead to lasting, meaningful change in how you feel and how you live. The result is a therapeutic partnership that empowers individuals to navigate life's transitions with confidence and clarity.
As a therapist, I am best positioned to serve a demographic navigating high-pressure transitions and systemic academic challenges. This group includes, but is not limited to, middle school, high school, and college students who feel "out of sync" with traditional educational environments. Client concerns could include: Systemic Friction (Navigating the complexities of IEP's or 504 Plans, often feeling stigmatized by their accommodations or frustrated by a lack of support), Executive Dysfunction (Struggles with organization, time management, and "initiation paralysis" that are often mislabeled as laziness, Social-Academic Anxiety (Fear of failure in the classroom, test anxiety, or the social isolation that can come from being in specialized learning tracks). These clients may exhibit the mindset of defensive or discouraged, overwhelmed, and/or seeking autonomy. Therapy goals with these clients could include: Self-Advocacy (Learning how to articulate their needs to educators and parents without aggression or withdrawal, Identity Integration (Helping clients see their neurodivergence or learning style as a facet of their identity rather than a deficit), Skill Acquisition (Developing "scaffolding" techniques- practical mental tools to manage deadlines and sensory overwhelm. In the realm of sport counseling, I serve individuals who balance the dual identities of student and performer. This requires a specialized understanding of the "win-at-all-costs" cultures. Client concerns include: Identity Foreclosure (Feeling that they are "only" an athlete, leading to a crisis when injured or when their playing career nears its end, Performance Anxiety (The "Choke" response under pressure and the inability to separate self-worth from scoreboard results, Burnout (The physical and mental exhaustion of balancing 20+ hours of weekly training with high-level academics. Mindset of these clients may include: Competitive but Fragile, Perfectionistic, and/or Stoic. Therapy goals include Mental Fortitude vs Mental Health, Diversification of Self, and/or Mindfulness and Flow.
Eclectic
I utilize an Eclectic treatment method as an integrative approach, not strictly adhering to a single theoretical framework. Instead, I intentionally select and combine techniques from various modalities- such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Dialectical Behavior (DBT)- to create a specific and unique treatment plan for each individual.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Utilizing Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), I guide clients to envision their preferred future and identify the skills and resources they already possess to achieve it. By utilizing techniques such as the "Miracle Question" or Scaling Questions, I help clients pinpoint small, manageable steps towards change.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients find a balance between acceptance and change. I guide clients through a fundamental "dialect"- acknowledging that their experiences and emotions are valid while simultaneously recognizing the need to change unhealthy behaviors to improve their quality of life. Sessions typically focus on the four core pillars of DBT: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.