Licensed to practice in Maryland and accepts 10 insurances. Specializes in Addiction, Anxiety, Men's Issues and 9 more.
New to Grow
With over 15 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and supervisor, I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with clarity, resilience, and purpose. My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. My career spans from working in hospital emergency departments, residential substance use facilities, outpatient clinics, and program leadership roles. Through all those settings I have worked with a broad range of client needs. I specialize in anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, men’s issues, and substance use concerns. I bring deep expertise in supporting adolescents and young adults through early-stage addiction, as well as providing specialized clinical training to school-based social workers and pupil personnel workers. In addition to my clinical work, I have served as a supervisor for LCPCs for a decade, mentoring the next generation of therapists. My practice style is grounded, practical, and authentic. Whether holding space for you during a crisis or offering active, meaningful feedback to help you break through stuck points, I provide non-judgmental, real-world guidance tailored to your goals. Taking the first step toward change can be daunting, but you don't have to navigate it alone. I am here to help you build the practical tools you need to live a fulfilling life.
Starting therapy is a significant step, and my goal for our first meeting is to make it as comfortable, transparent, and grounded as possible. In our initial 50-minute session, we will: Get to Know Each Other: We’ll discuss what brings you to therapy right now, your primary concerns, and what you hope to achieve. Review Your History: We’ll briefly cover relevant background details—such as your lifestyle, daily routines, stressors, and any previous experiences with therapy—to help me understand your unique perspective. Define Your Goals: Together, we’ll outline clear, practical goals tailored to your needs, whether you are seeking strategies for immediate relief or long-term growth. Address Questions: You’ll have dedicated time to ask about my approach, logistics, or anything else on your mind to ensure my practice feels like the right fit for you. There is no pressure to have everything figured out before we start. This session is simply a conversational space to establish where you are today and build a plan for moving forward.
Authentic and Down-to-Earth: I bring a genuine, real-world presence to every session. You will always get an approachable, compassionate therapist who meets you exactly where you are without judgment or pretense. Balanced Guidance: I am comfortable simply holding space when you need to be heard, but I am equally ready to offer direct, meaningful feedback and practical steps when you feel stuck and need a push forward. Broad Clinical Perspective: Having worked across hospital ERs, residential substance abuse facilities, outpatient clinics, and community agencies, I’ve navigated virtually every level of care. Whether helping adolescents navigate addiction or supporting individuals through severe crisis on their worst days, very little catches me off guard. Integrative & Adaptable Approach: While grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused modalities, I adapt my approach to fit your unique needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. Depth of Real-World Experience: Over my career, I’ve served as a clinician, supervisor, and administrator. This breadth of experience allows me to offer steady, reliable guidance to help you navigate complex challenges and build a life filled with meaning and purpose.
I feel that I have always been able to work with anybody and my skill set matches well across the full lifespan. My deep background in teen addiction, sports psychology, Men's issues, and life transitions has made me a valuable resource to the surrounding community. Some typical presenting concerns I have extensive expertise in include: Substance Use & Early-Stage Addiction: Clients facing substance abuse, behavioral addictions, or individuals in early recovery seeking practical accountability and relapse prevention tools. Anxiety, Mood, & Crisis Stability: Individuals dealing with anxiety, bipolar disorder, intense emotional dysregulation, or acute life stressors who need help during difficult times. Life Transitions & Goal-Setting: People feeling "stuck" in their personal lives, relationships, or careers who want to move beyond insight into concrete action and meaningful change. If you appreciate an authentic, down-to-earth clinician who isn't afraid to provide honest, constructive feedback alongside empathy then I will be the right therapist for you. If you want action plans, coping skills sets, and realistic strategies then we will thrive together!
I work collaboratively with clients to recognize negative or distorted thoughts, examine the evidence behind them, develop more balanced perspectives, and practice healthier behaviors and coping strategies. I would also use practical, goal-oriented interventions that make sense!
I use DBT to help clients develop practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, tolerating distress, and responding to difficult situations more effectively. I would incorporate DBT skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. My approach would emphasize acceptance while also helping clients identify areas where change is needed, with the goal of increasing emotional stability, self-awareness, and confidence in handling life’s challenges.
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore their own reasons for change rather than telling them what they should do. I use open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summaries to create a collaborative, nonjudgmental environment. I help clients identify their values, explore ambivalence, strengthen motivation, and develop their own goals for change. This approach allows clients to build confidence and take ownership of the changes they want to make.
I incorporate Positive Psychology by helping clients identify and build upon their strengths, values, and existing resources rather than focusing solely on problems and symptoms. I may explore gratitude, meaning and purpose, resilience, positive relationships, self-compassion, and activities that promote a greater sense of fulfillment. I help clients recognize what is already working in their lives and develop practical ways to increase those experiences. The goal is to support not only symptom reduction, but also greater well-being, resilience, and a sense of meaning and satisfaction in life.