LCSW, 20 years of experience
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience helping adults move through anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma, and the stressful transitions that life can bring. Clients often tell me I’m warm, honest, and easy to talk to, but also straightforward and challenging in a way that helps them make real change and experience growth. I don’t sit back and nod; I’m actively engaged in the process with you. My work combines deep emotional insight with practical tools you can use in everyday life. I draw from CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and psychodynamic therapy, and tailor my approach to what works best for you as a person, not following a generic formula. My goal is to help you feel understood, supported, and capable of change and growth. You don’t have to carry everything on your own, and therapy is a place where you can share, breathe, make sense of things, and start feeling more in control again.
Our first session is simply a beginning. You don’t need to have the perfect words or a full story prepared. I’ll meet you exactly where you are; whether you’re overwhelmed, unsure, guarded, or ready to dive right in. We’ll spend time talking about what’s been happening in your life, what’s brought you to therapy now, and what you’d like to feel or experience differently. I’ll ask questions gently and with care, but I’ll also follow your pace. For some people, it’s easy to share. For others, it takes time. You’ll also have space to ask me anything about my approach, what therapy might look like, or what feels most important to you. Part of this first meeting is for you to get a sense of whether this feels like a safe and supportive place, and whether I feel like the right person to walk alongside you. By the end of the session, we’ll begin shaping a plan together. Some clients feel relief just being heard for the first time in a long time; others leave with a bit more clarity or direction. What matters most is that you feel respected, understood, and not alone with what you’re carrying.
My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I’m deeply present in sessions as I am listening carefully, asking meaningful questions, and offering insight in a way that feels supportive rather than overwhelming. I tailor therapy to each person, drawing from CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and psychodynamic approaches, depending on what you need the most and works for you the best. Clients often appreciate that I balance emotional understanding with practical tools. We work on coping skills you can use right away, while also exploring the deeper patterns that shape how you think, feel, and relate to others. The goal is not just short-term relief, but lasting change. I work with you as a whole person considering your history, strengths, culture, values, and goals. Therapy becomes a space where insight leads to action, and where change feels possible and sustainable.
I work best with adults who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, relationship challenges, parenting stress, the demands of professional life, or various life transitions. Many of my clients are high-functioning and capable, yet quietly carry worry, self-doubt, and experience emotional fatigue that others don’t see, or disregard. They rarely allow themselves to have the space or time to focus on their own well-being. If you’re navigating difficult moments in your life, or patterns that repeat themselves and leave you stuck, such as relationship dynamics, communication issues, boundaries, burnout, grief, or a major life transition, therapy can be a place to slow down, be heard, feel understood, and gain clarity. My clients are often looking for practical tools and deeper insight. I focus on providing support that helps them feel more grounded, confident, and emotionally balanced. If that sounds like what you need, we’re likely a strong fit.
I have extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns, understand how thoughts impact emotions and behaviors, and develop healthier, more adaptive responses. In our work together, I take a collaborative approach by helping you slow down automatic thoughts, challenge negative beliefs, and build practical tools that can be used in everyday situations. I incorporate CBT with a focus on building self-awareness, emotional regulation, and long-term coping skills, so clients feel empowered to handle difficult situations on their own, not just in session.