New to Grow
I’m a compassionate and direct therapist who believes healing starts with feeling seen, heard, and understood without judgment. I work with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use recovery, compassion fatigue, relationship challenges, and overwhelming life stressors. My approach is practical, supportive, and grounded in helping clients better understand themselves while building healthier coping skills, emotional balance, and stronger boundaries. I strive to create a space where clients can show up authentically, process difficult experiences, and work toward meaningful, lasting change at their own pace.
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if this is your first experience with counseling or if you’ve had experiences in the past where you didn’t feel fully understood. My goal during our first session is to create a space where you feel comfortable, supported, and able to show up exactly as you are without pressure or judgment. The first session is primarily about getting to know you, understanding what brings you to therapy, and beginning to build a strong therapeutic relationship. We will talk about your current concerns, challenges, stressors, and what you hope to gain from therapy. You do not have to have everything figured out before starting, and you do not need to tell your entire life story in one session. We move at a pace that feels manageable and emotionally safe for you. During our first session, I may ask questions about your background, relationships, emotional experiences, coping patterns, mental health history, work or family stressors, substance use history if applicable, and any significant life experiences that may be impacting you currently. These questions help me better understand the full picture of what you are carrying and how I can best support you moving forward. I work from a compassionate, collaborative, and practical approach. That means I view therapy as a partnership rather than a situation where I simply tell you what to do. I want clients to feel heard and validated while also feeling empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives. I often help clients explore patterns that may be contributing to emotional distress, difficulty with boundaries, relationship struggles, trauma responses, anxiety, depression, burnout, or unhealthy coping behaviors. If you are someone who feels emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in survival mode, exhausted from constantly caring for others, or disconnected from yourself, our first session can also be a space to simply slow down and begin identifying what you need. Many clients come into therapy carrying years of stress, emotional pain, trauma, people-pleasing, or self-criticism, and one of the first steps is learning how to approach yourself with more understanding and self-awareness. You can also expect the first session to include discussion about goals for therapy. Some clients come in with very clear goals, while others simply know they are struggling and want things to feel different. Both are completely okay. Together, we will begin identifying what healing, growth, sta
My greatest strengths are creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment while also helping clients gain insight, build practical coping skills, establish healthier boundaries, and create meaningful change through compassionate but honest conversations.
I’m best positioned to support adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use recovery, compassion fatigue, and overwhelming life stressors. I work with both men and women who may feel emotionally exhausted, stuck in unhealthy patterns, or disconnected from themselves. I help clients process emotional and physical trauma, build healthier boundaries, improve coping skills, strengthen relationships, and work through stress related to family, legal, or major life challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients identify patterns in their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that may be keeping them stuck. Together, we work on developing healthier coping skills, challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, and creating practical strategies clients can use in everyday life. I often use CBT with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and life stressors.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I have experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, including domestic violence, childhood trauma, relationship trauma, and chronic stress. My approach focuses on helping clients feel emotionally safe while processing difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable. I help clients understand how trauma impacts the nervous system, relationships, emotions, and coping patterns while building grounding and emotional regulation skills.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing to support clients who may feel unsure, stuck, or conflicted about change. This approach helps clients explore their own motivations and strengths without judgment. I frequently use this method with individuals navigating substance use recovery, behavioral changes, and major life transitions.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution-Focused Therapy helps clients identify strengths, build on what is already working, and focus on realistic next steps. I use this approach to help clients create achievable goals and develop confidence in their ability to move forward, even during overwhelming situations.
Psychoeducation
I use psychoeducation to help clients better understand their emotions, behaviors, mental health symptoms, and the impact of trauma and stress on the mind and body. I believe that understanding “why” we react the way we do can reduce shame and help clients feel more empowered in their healing process. I often provide education on topics such as trauma responses, anxiety, substance use, boundaries, nervous system regulation, healthy relationships, and coping skills so clients can apply what they learn outside of sessions.