(she/her)
I am currently scheduling short-term summer only clients. If you are an out of state college student looking for continued care over the summer because you are unable to meet with your current clinician who is out of state, please feel free to read on, and/or book a session! I am happy to coordinate with your regular therapist during this process. I am a licensed clinical social worker who wants to help children, teens, adults, and families have access to everything they need in order to experience health, safety, belonging and a sense of their purpose. I have experience in a variety of settings, am currently working as a school therapist, and am starting my private practice journey during the evenings. I strive to do all things with detail, curiosity and authenticity within a trauma informed perspective. I believe the little things add up, self-care is more than a bubble bath, and your environment and relationships have a direct impact on your mental health. When I'm not working, I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my favorite people and dog.
Our first session is a time for us to get to know each other and for me to help you feel as comfortable as possible. I believe trust is the most important part of a therapeutic relationship and that the therapeutic relationship is the most important part of therapy. I also believe that therapeutic work with children and teens means working with parents and so I encourage and welcome parents or caregivers to be involved in the initial session with children and teens as well as ongoing sessions as needed. I will share a bit about myself and how I practice and I will also ask you to share a little about yourself or your child including what brought you to therapy, your family, habits, friends, goals, passions, challenges, childhood, trauma, etc. You can share as much or as little as you want and never have to talk about anything you don't want to talk about.
I don’t believe therapy has to feel fancy, fluffy, or overly polished to be powerful. I’m here to meet you as a real person, with warmth, compassion, and a little humor when it helps.
Most of my experience has been in working with children and adolescents and those who care for them. I have extensive experience working within the child welfare system and am therefore especially equipped to help those facing difficulties related to foster care, adoption, attachment, parenting, custody issues, and childhood trauma. I currently work at a high school and so I am also well equipped and love working with teenagers and young adults and the specific challenges they face. Because I work at a school, I have summers off and am particularly equipped to connect with out of state college students returning home to Pennsylvania for the summer. If you are in this position and are unable to meet with your out of state clinician I am happy to create a bridge of care for you.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT helps us stop fighting with our thoughts and instead notice and accept them so that we can move forward with actions and mindsets that are important to us.
Psychodynamic
Sometimes we have to look at our past in order to understand our present. I help clients do this in whatever way they are comfortable so that they can move forward.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma therapy is more than talking about your trauma. It includes building trust with your therapist, those closest to you, and finding ways to relate to your mind and body in new ways. I keep this in mind during session and encourage this through a variety of practices.
Faith based therapy
We all have a spiritual life although it looks different for every person. Our spiritual life is often what reminds us of our purpose and motivation for what we do. I incorporate this in my sessions with clients in whatever way they choose. This can include but does not have to include their religion of choice.
Eclectic
I utilize a variety of perspectives and techniques during sessions that are not limited to one model. I am also always learning and am committed to learning as much as I can to serve your specific needs.