Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in LGBTQ, Trauma and PTSD, Addiction and 10 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Addiction Counselor II, and EMDR Therapist who provides psychotherapy to adolescents, adults, LGBTQIA+, and others. I specialize in using evidence-based therapies for anxiety disorders, trauma and PTSD, Dual diagnosis, and addiction other areas include stress management, self-esteem, coping skills, relational issues and depression. Sessions often focus on helping you gain insight into patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and learning to modify unhelpful thinking and behavior. I have created a working schedule, however, I will always try to assist if or when unforeseen circumstances may arise.
We will work collaboratively to help to acquire the tools needed to make progress towards your goals. I believe therapy is the most effective when personalized to meet your needs, strengths, and goals for each client, so I make use of various therapeutic techniques drawing primarily from cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches to therapy. Together, we will identify your challenges and goals—where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. There will always be room for suggestions regarding our work together, including how we keep each other accountable.
I’m glad you’ve taken the first step toward improving your well-being. Change begins with self-compassion, perfection isn’t the goal, progress is. My approach is rooted in empathy, honesty, and support. Together, we’ll build healthy coping skills, strengthen emotional regulation, develop healthier routines, and navigate life’s challenges in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. I look forward to supporting you on your journey toward healing and growth. I won’t tell you how to live your life. Instead, I’ll support and guide you in discovering what works best for you and help you move toward greater balance and well-being. I look forward to working with you.
I better serve clients who are willing to provide open communication, show mutual respect, shared goals, flexibility, and adaptability. Clients that feel comfortable sharing their needs and feedback. A client that listens to recommendations, take suggestions, and to invest in self-improvement and sustainable living practices. Clients who are willing to invest in the quality of life that helps them to grow, mature, and be okay with "Being Still and sitting in silence with themselves."
This treatment method is good for those with anxiety, depression, stress related disorders, and some trauma. CBT helps individuals recognize unhelpful thoughts contribute to emotional stress.
Focus on helping individuals accept their thoughts and feelings rather than trying to change or avoid them. ACT works best when individuals their thoughts and feelings without judgement , and recognizing they are a natural part of life. Using mindfulness techniques help individuals stay in the present. ACT helps individuals to commit to taking meaningful actions that reflect their personal values even with difficult emotions are present.
Culturally sensitive therapy is a mental health approach that actively accounts for the individual's cultural background, values, and life experiences. The most widely used framework for culturally sensitive therapy comes from a model developed by Derald Wing Sue, built on three pillars: awareness, knowledge, and skills. These aren’t steps a therapist completes once. They represent a continuous practice.
Gender Affirming Therapy focuses on affirming a patient’s gender identity and does not try to “repair” it. Trauma TGNC people have essentially grown up and live in a world that is, more often than not, transphobic. Encountering messages and behaviors that discourage and are hostile to gender diversity creates the experience of repeated trauma with physical and psychological effects. Shame The feeling of being flawed or different leads to shame. Avoidance of the feeling of shame can cause anxiety. Depression Those who suffer from repeated trauma may have higher levels of depression. TGNC people have a disproportionately high rate of mental illness that is influenced in part by lack of societal support. Self-harm TGNC people have been shown to have high levels of suicidal ideation and as many as 50% have attempted suicide in their lifetime. This is influenced by the lack of social supports and transphobic hostility that is repeated over time. Violence TGNC people are often the victims of hate crimes and at least 25% have reported being attacked in their lifetime. Sexuality Those who live on a more diverse gender spectrum are still placed into discrete “boxes” regarding their sexual orientation. It is important to understand that sexual orientation can present in many forms and can be fluid over time. Medical Treatment Exploring the pros and cons of hormone interventions is important, along with helping the individual understand where they fit on the gender spectrum. Societal Stigma This includes exploring feelings related to “passing” or not passing as a particular gender and how to navigate an often transphobic world. The core interventions include: Gender affirmation; Space for processing and understanding; Linking to social supports, legal services, health care providers; Creating a safe zone; Allowing for diversity; Reflection and empathy. This also includes work on trauma, shame. depression, self-esteem, self-harm, violence, societal stigma, and sexuality.
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) addresses the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and families suffering from the destructive effects of early trauma. The treatment is particularly sensitive to the unique problems of youth with post-traumatic stress and mood disorders resulting from sexual abuse, as well as from physical abuse, bullying, violence, or grief.