LCSW, 4 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I'm Haley, it's great to meet you. I'm a licensed clinical social worker and therapist who offers trauma-informed, affirming therapy that welcomes you in your entirety. My work is guided by compassion, collaboration, and curiosity. I aim to create a space that feels calm and genuine, where you can exhale and simply be yourself without needing to perform or hold everything together. To me, affirming care means honoring every layer of identity and experience that shapes you. I understand that everyone carries their own story, history, and way of moving through the world. My role is to meet you where you are and walk alongside you as we explore what healing, stability, and growth can look like for you. Our time together is centered on connection, trust, and understanding. We might focus on strengthening coping tools, deepening self-awareness, or finding moments of calm in the middle of life’s noise. I tailor my approach to fit your pace and what feels most supportive, blending evidence-based methods with genuine human connection. Therapy is not about fixing what is broken. It’s about listening to the parts of you that have been unheard, tending to what needs care, and building a relationship with yourself that feels steady and kind. I’m here to hold that space with you.
Your first session is really just a chance to get to know each other and figure out how I can support you. We will talk about what brought you to therapy, what you are hoping to work on, and any symptoms or mental health history that feel important to share. I am also interested in hearing about your life experiences in general, the challenges you’ve faced, and what has shaped you so far. This helps me understand your story and think about what might be most helpful for you. There is no expectation that you tell me everything right away. Some people like to ease in slowly, some want to jump right into the thick of things, and all of that is fine. My goal is simply to listen, understand, and start building a space where you feel safe, seen, and respected. We will also go over practical stuff like how sessions usually work, how often we might meet, and some approaches or strategies that could support your goals. By the end of the first session, most people leave with a clearer sense of what therapy with me might look like, a better idea of their goals, and some initial reflections or tools to think about before the next session. The first session is about starting the process, not solving everything in one go. It is about being heard, understanding your experiences and symptoms, and beginning a collaborative path that meets you where you are and helps you move forward in ways that feel manageable and real.
What stands out about my approach is that it is thoughtful, compassionate, and full of human energy. I help clients notice patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and relationships while exploring new ways to navigate challenges that actually fit their life. Sessions often bring 'aha!' moments where you recognize strengths you didn’t know you had, understand yourself more clearly, and begin shifting habits that once felt stuck. I guide this process with curiosity, warmth, and honesty, making space for all the messy, brilliant, and unexpected parts of being human. My goal is to help you feel more empowered in your identity, more confident in yourself, and more in charge of how you navigate the world. You’ll leave sessions with insights that land, practical tools you can use, and a sense that growth can feel energizing and meaningful. I also provide intentionally affirming care for Neurodivergent and Queer folks and I bring unique experience from holding these identities myself and from rigorous clinical experience. I also operate from a body-neutral and health at every size (HAES) approach that can be helpful for body image support areas or for those trying to deconstruct their ideas around body size. Therapy with me doesn’t feel like a checklist or lecture. It’s a space where you are seen, supported, and sometimes even surprised by what you discover about yourself. Together, we explore what matters to you, understand patterns holding you back, and develop strategies that fit your life while leaving room for curiosity, reflection, and those moments of clarity that make you think, "I really get myself now." Clients often leave feeling lighter, stronger, and more capable of moving through life with intention, clarity, and confidence in who they are.
I work with people who carry a lot with them. Maybe you feel like life is constantly too loud, too fast, or too heavy. Maybe you are processing past trauma, growing up in spaces that were never emotionally safe, or figuring out who you are in a world that doesn’t always make room for you. Others are exploring identity, navigating relationships, or learning how to move through life with more clarity, confidence, and ease. You do not need to have all the answers or a polished story when you arrive. Perhaps you are questioning whether what you experienced counts as trauma. Maybe you have spent years in survival mode and are ready to explore what it could feel like to rest. Perhaps you tried therapy before but never felt fully understood. Whatever brought you here, you deserve care that meets you where you are, honors your experiences, and helps you feel steady, capable, and seen. I offer trauma-informed, affirming therapy for queer and neurodivergent adults, as well as anyone looking for support that validates the fullness of their identity, mental health, and life experiences. I specialize in PTSD, complex trauma, ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, attachment, body image, relationships, and identity exploration. Many of the people I work with are unpacking childhood experiences, navigating emotional intensity, learning boundaries, or working through transitions that feel overwhelming. I also support those who feel outside of conventional expectations. This may include neurodivergent people learning to navigate a neurotypical world, those exploring gender or sexuality, or anyone untangling internalized messages that make it difficult to feel at home in their body or mind. Together we focus on understanding patterns, building practical tools, and strengthening resilience so life feels more manageable, safe, and meaningful. Clients often describe therapy with me as supportive, genuine, and empowering- with a touch of humor too at times. Humor appears when it fits, honest or direct feedback appears when it is needed. Healing does not have to be heavy all the time. Even small shifts, moments of clarity, or brief relief can create meaningful change over time. My approach is collaborative and adaptive. I draw from evidence-based strategies and creative interventions to fit each person’s unique needs. Whether we focus on emotional processing, coping skills, identity exploration, or relational navigation, our work prioritizes your values, capacity, and goals.
I have several years of experience using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support adults in navigating a wide range of challenges and life transitions. Through mindfulness, self-compassion, and values-based action, I help clients develop greater psychological flexibility and a more balanced relationship with their thoughts and emotions. This approach encourages meaningful change and helps clients build lives that feel authentic, purposeful, and aligned with what matters most to them.
Drawing on extensive experience with Attachment-Based Therapy, I help adults explore how early relationships shape the ways they connect, communicate, and seek comfort in the present. Together, we examine these patterns with curiosity and compassion, creating opportunities for new experiences of safety and trust. Through this process, clients often develop deeper emotional resilience, stronger self-understanding, and more satisfying connections with others.
1. Explore Your Life Stories We begin by looking at the stories you tell about yourself and your experiences. These narratives shape how you see the world, yourself, and your relationships. 2. Identify Dominant Patterns We examine recurring themes and beliefs that may limit you or create distress. This helps separate you from stories that no longer serve your well-being. 3. Highlight Strengths and Values We focus on your skills, resilience, and values that might be hidden or overlooked. Bringing these to the forefront allows you to reconnect with parts of yourself that support growth. 4. Re-author Your Narrative Together, we explore alternative ways to understand and respond to challenges. This step helps you create a story that reflects your strengths, choices, and goals. 5. Apply Insights to Daily Life The goal is not just understanding, but practical change. You’ll experiment with new ways of responding, build coping tools, and notice shifts in how you relate to yourself and others. 6. Empowerment and Self-Connection Through this process, you gain a deeper sense of identity, feel more agency in your decisions, and recognize your ability to navigate life in ways aligned with your values.
I take an eclectic approach, tailoring therapy to meet each client’s individual needs, strengths, and goals. By integrating a variety of strategies and perspectives, I create a flexible framework that adapts to the unique challenges clients bring. This approach allows for personalized support, helping clients develop insight, coping skills, and resilience in ways that feel meaningful and effective for their lives.
In Somatic Therapy, I guide clients through a structured process to connect body and mind and address emotional challenges: Awareness: Noticing physical sensations and how they relate to emotions or stress. Regulation: Learning techniques to release tension and manage difficult emotions in the moment. Application: Developing practical strategies to respond to daily challenges with clarity and control. This approach helps clients build resilience, feel grounded, and create lasting positive change in their lives. Communication: Developing clear, honest, and compassionate ways of expressing needs and listening to others. Boundaries and Self-Awareness: Identifying personal values, limits, and patterns that impact connections. Connection and Resilience: Strengthening trust, emotional closeness, and the ability to navigate challenges together. This framework empowers clients to create relationships that are balanced, fulfilling, and adaptable across life’s changes.