In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session is about getting to know you — not interrogating you. We’ll start by reviewing logistics and any questions you may have about confidentiality, scheduling, or the therapy process so you feel clear and comfortable moving forward. After that, the session becomes a conversation. I’ll invite you to share what’s bringing you in, what feels most urgent, and what you’re hoping might feel different in your life. You don’t need to have a perfectly organized story. You don’t need to start at the beginning. And you don’t need to share everything all at once. We’ll move at a pace that feels manageable. I’ll likely ask some questions about your history, relationships, stressors, and current symptoms to better understand patterns and context. If you’re in the postpartum season, navigating anxiety, or dealing with relationship stress, we’ll gently explore what that experience has been like for you. My goal is not just to gather information, but to begin helping you make sense of what you’re carrying. By the end of the first session, we’ll talk about what feels most important to focus on and what next steps could look like. Some clients leave feeling relief simply from saying things out loud. Others leave with a few practical tools to try between sessions. Either way, you can expect clarity, collaboration, and a plan. Most importantly, the first session is about fit. You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to assess whether you feel safe and understood. Therapy works best when it feels like a good partnership — and we’ll both be paying attention to that from the very beginning.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to balance emotional depth with practical structure. I don’t believe therapy should feel vague or endless. My clients gain both insight into their patterns and concrete tools they can use in real life. I’m skilled at helping people connect the dots — especially between past attachment experiences and present relationship dynamics. Many clients come in feeling confused about why they react so strongly, shut down, overthink, or struggle to communicate. Together, we make those patterns understandable instead of shameful. I’m also direct in a supportive way. I won’t overwhelm you, but I won’t collude with unhelpful patterns either. Clients often tell me they appreciate that I’m warm and empathetic while still gently challenging them when needed. Another strength I bring is normalization and education. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, postpartum changes, trauma responses, or relationship stress, I help you understand what’s happening in your nervous system and why. When you understand your reactions, they often feel less scary and more manageable. Finally, I work from a strengths-based lens. Even when you feel stuck, there are parts of you that have helped you survive and adapt. We identify those strengths and build from them, rather than focusing only on what’s “wrong.” Clients who work with me often leave therapy feeling more regulated, more self-aware, and more confident in how they show up in relationships — not because they changed who they are, but because they better understand and trust themselves.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are thoughtful, capable adults who may look like they “have it together” on the outside but feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or stuck on the inside. They are often high-functioning and responsible — professionals, parents, partners, or caregivers — who carry a lot for others but struggle to slow down and care for themselves. I work especially well with individuals navigating anxiety, relationship stress, life transitions, attachment wounds, and identity shifts. I also support women in the postpartum season who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, overstimulation, or a loss of self after becoming a parent. The transition into parenthood can be beautiful and disorienting at the same time, and many new mothers feel guilt or shame for not “loving every minute.” Therapy can be a place to process those emotions honestly and without judgment. Many of the people I work best with are navigating divorce, parenting stress, military-related trauma, or major life changes. Others are trying to break generational patterns, improve communication, or feel more secure and confident in their relationships. I’m especially well-suited for clients who are curious about their patterns and open to self-reflection, even if they feel unsure where to start. You might find yourself asking: “Why do I react this way in relationships?” “Why do I overthink everything?” “Why do I shut down or push people away?” “Why do I feel anxious even when things are technically fine?” “Why don’t I feel like myself since having a baby?” My ideal clients want more than just symptom relief — they want understanding. They want tools, but they also want insight. They’re ready to look at both practical coping strategies and the deeper emotional patterns that drive their experiences. I work well with individuals who appreciate a collaborative, transparent approach. I’m not a silent therapist, and I’m not overly rigid. I will reflect, gently challenge, teach skills when helpful, and help you connect the dots between past and present. If you value honesty, structure, and emotional depth — we’ll likely work well together. I’m also a strong fit for parents who are trying to regulate themselves while raising emotionally healthy children, and for adults who are working to heal attachment wounds so they can show up differently in relationships. Many of my clients are motivated, growth-oriented, and willing to do the work — even when it feels uncomfortable