(she/her)
Hello! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 15 years of experience I specialize in addressing a variety of symptoms including anxious/unhealthy thinking, nervous system disregulation, unhealthy eating habits, lack of motivation, negative self image as well as issues such as stress management, life transitions, body image issues, aging, career transitions and more. Prior to my work in the mental health field, I spent 15 years in operations management with Walmart Logistics. I returned to school in my early 40s and earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling then spent the next several years working towards my license. During that time I worked in a variety of settings including outpatient and community mental health, intensive family services, and most recently private practice. In addition to my years of experience in the mental health field, I have decades of work and life experiences that have shaped my ability to be a knowledgeable and compassionate therapist. I have worked with clients of all ages and backgrounds and pride myself on my ability to find common ground and create a welcoming and non-judgmental environment where you can seek to be your happiest and healthiest self. I look forward to meeting you and discussing how we can work together to achieve your goals!
Our first session together is all about getting to know you. We'll talk about who you are, what you enjoy, the challenges you're facing and what led you to therapy. We'll also talk a bit about your history and your past but our main focus will most often be on your present experience and how we can improve that experience. We'll begin identifying your goals and desired outcomes in order to develop a plan for your treatment.
My greatest strength as a provider is my ability to create a safe and welcoming environment from a place of warmth, kindness and compassion. I listen to your needs and ask thought provoking questions that guide self discovery as we work together to identify and reach your goals. I'm a lifelong learner and continue to work on expanding my areas of expertise in order to pass that new knowledge on to my clients.
I'm best positioned to serve clients who are looking to learn coping skills and interventions that they can implement on a regular basis to form healthy habits and improve feelings of wellbeing and life satisfaction. My clients should be ready to practice skills and interventions between sessions to reinforce what is learned in session. In addition to talk therapy I utliize a variety of techniques within treatment which helps prevent therapeutic burnout and boredom. Some techniques you may encounter might be bibliotherapy, journaling, creative interventions such as art or music therapy and movement therapy.
Integrative
Integrative therapy is an individualized, holistic approach to therapy that combines ideas and techniques from different therapeutic schools of thought depending on the unique needs of a given client. Sometimes referred to as holistic therapy, this form of therapy considers an individual’s mental, physical, and emotional health in a unified way. We will work together to understand the sources of anxiety, unhappiness, physical discomfort, or unhealthy behavior patterns in your life. In this way our therapeutic relationship is a partnership where you are the expert on your life and I guide you in your search for a happier, healthier way of life.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on teaching present moment awareness, reduction of negative/automatic responses, acceptance and non-judgement. Utilizing breathing exercises, guided meditations, mindfulness and discussion I will assist you in moving away from past and future focused thinking into present moment awareness and acceptance of your self and others.
Somatic
Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that looks at the connection of mind and body and uses both psychotherapy and physical therapies for holistic healing. In addition to talk therapy, somatic therapy practitioners use mind-body exercises and other physical techniques to help release the pent-up tension that negatively affects a patient’s physical and emotional wellbeing. I will introduce you to body awareness, breathwork and movement exercises that will help you be more aware of bodily sensations and release stored emotions. This type of therapy is often used to treat conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression and chronic pain
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that focuses on modifying unhelpful emotions, behaviors, and thoughts by identifying negative or irrational beliefs. CBT is a "solutions-oriented" form of talk therapy and rests on the idea that thoughts influence emotions and behavior. In session we will identify how your thoughts may be influencing your emotions and, in turn, your behavior. Together we will challenge negative patterns and work to replace them with positive, healthy ones in order to create a healthier thinking style and response to stress.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy is an action-oriented approach to therapy that stems from traditional behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Through identification and discussion of emotions, responses and beliefs about challenging situations I assist my clients in learning to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner thoughts and emotions. Clients begin to accept that their deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations and that they do not have to prevent them from moving forward in their lives. With this understanding, clients begin to accept their challenges and commit to making necessary changes in their behavior, despite what is going on in their lives and how they feel about