New to Grow
Finding the right therapist is often the most difficult step in the healing journey. It requires finding a balance between someone who deeply understands the science of the mind and someone who genuinely cares about the person sitting across from them. With 13 years of clinical practice, I have dedicated my career to being that balance for my clients. My approach is rooted in the belief that while our pasts shape us, they do not have to define our future. I specialize in two of the most effective, evidence-based frameworks available today: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Through CBT, we work together to identify and reshape the thought patterns that keep you feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed. We look at the "why" behind your actions and replace old, automatic responses with intentional, healthy choices. Through DBT, I help you build a concrete toolkit for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Whether you are navigating intense emotional "storms" or simply looking to improve the quality of your relationships, these skills provide a roadmap for stability. Over a decade of practice has taught me that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution. I view our work as a collaborative partnership; you are the expert on your life, and I am here to provide the clinical expertise and objective perspective to help you navigate it. My goal is to move beyond just "venting" and toward tangible, lasting change. I provide a non-judgmental, warm, and structured environment where you can feel safe to explore your vulnerabilities while being challenged to grow. Together, we won't just talk about the life you want—we will build the skills necessary to live it.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
1. A Low-Pressure Introduction We start by simply getting comfortable. I’ll share a bit more about my therapeutic style and how I use CBT and DBT to ensure you feel confident in our partnership. This is a "two-way street"—while I am getting to know you, you are also deciding if my approach feels like the right fit for your personality and goals. 2. Mapping the "Big Picture" We will discuss what brought you to therapy now. Rather than just listing symptoms, we’ll talk about your current "internal weather"—the patterns, stressors, or emotions that feel most urgent. Because I work exclusively with adults, we’ll focus on how these challenges impact your specific roles, whether that’s in your career, your primary relationships, or your sense of self. 3. Identifying Your "North Star" By the end of our first meeting, we won’t just have a list of problems; we’ll have a direction. We will define what "success" looks like for you. Whether it’s reclaiming your weekends from anxiety or learning how to set a firm boundary with a family member, we establish the goals that will guide our future work. 4. A Practical Next Step I believe you should leave every session—including the first one—with something tangible. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of our treatment plan and, often, a small "micro-skill" or perspective shift you can experiment with before we meet again.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What stands out about my practice isn’t just the 13 years of experience—it’s the integration of structure and soul. Many therapists offer either "venting sessions" without a plan or "clinical worksheets" without a connection. My approach bridges that gap. 1. Dialectical Balance: Validation + Change The core of my philosophy is the Dialectical approach: I provide a space where you are completely accepted exactly as you are, while simultaneously being challenged to change. We honor your past experiences without letting them become an excuse for a stagnant future. You get a therapist who is warm enough to sit with your pain, but skilled enough to help you move through it. 2. Results-Driven Logic (CBT) We don’t just talk about how you feel; we look at the mechanics of your mind. Using CBT, we deconstruct the "evidence" for your anxieties. The result? You stop being a victim of your thoughts and start becoming an architect of your reactions. My clients don’t just "feel better"—they get better at handling life. 3. The "Adult-Only" Specialization Because I work exclusively with adults, my methods are tailored to high-stakes reality. We don't use generic metaphors; we apply DBT skills (like Distress Tolerance and Interpersonal Effectiveness) to your actual boardroom meetings, your long-term partnerships, and your complex family dynamics. 4. Long-Term Mastery, Not Short-Term Band-Aids The result of our work is sustainable autonomy. My goal is to eventually "work myself out of a job." I want you to leave therapy not
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I specialize in working exclusively with individual adults (ages 18+) who are navigating the unique complexities of modern adulthood. My practice is best positioned to serve those who feel "stuck" in cycles of intense emotion, repetitive negative thoughts, or self-sabotaging behaviors that interfere with their careers, relationships, and self-worth. Is This You? My ideal clients are often high-functioning adults who "have it all together" on the outside but struggle with an internal disconnect. You might find yourself: Emotionally Overwhelmed: Feeling "hijacked" by your feelings, leading to reactivity, shut-downs, or a constant sense of being on edge. Stuck in Analysis Paralysis: Dealing with a mind that won’t stop scanning for the worst-case scenario, making it difficult to make decisions or find peace. Navigating Relationship Friction: Falling into the same communication traps, struggling with boundaries, or feeling deeply misunderstood by those closest to you. Battling "All-or-Nothing" Thinking: A tendency toward perfectionism that leaves little room for self-compassion or flexibility. Our Shared Goals Because I work solely with adults, our sessions focus on the specific challenges of adult life—from career burnout and complex family-of-origin issues to the search for an authentic identity. We are an excellent match if you are looking for active, skills-based transformation rather than just a passive listening ear. My goal is to help you move away from extremes and find the "Middle Path"—a place where you can honor your feelings without letting them drive the car. If you are a motivated adult ready to trade old survival strategies for new thriving skills, we will do incredible work together.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
My clinical practice is deeply rooted in the principles of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I utilize this evidence-based, skills-focused method to help clients build a "life worth living" by balancing acceptance and change. My Experience with DBT I have extensive training in the comprehensive DBT model, which includes mastery of its core modules and commitment to the foundational dialectical philosophy. My experience has shown that DBT is highly effective for clients struggling with intense emotions, chaotic relationships, and difficulty managing stress without making problems worse. It is a powerful framework for moving clients from a state of emotional crisis to one of stability and skilled management. How I Use DBT in Practice My use of DBT is highly structured, and I integrate it across the following four core skill modules: 1. Mindfulness: Focus: Teaching clients to be present and to observe their thoughts, feelings, and urges non-judgmentally. In Practice: We establish a baseline awareness of current emotional and behavioral patterns before attempting to change them. 2. Distress Tolerance: Focus: Helping clients survive overwhelming crises without resorting to destructive behaviors. In Practice: I teach concrete skills for immediate emotional first-aid, such as using self-soothing, distraction, and radical acceptance techniques to navigate emotional storms. 3. Emotional Regulation: Focus: Understanding emotions, reducing emotional vulnerability, and changing unwanted emotions when necessary. In Practice: We work on identifying barriers to healthy emotional expression and systematically replacing problematic emotional responses with effective behavioral ones. 4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Focus: Teaching clients how to get their needs met, maintain self-respect, and build healthy relationships. In Practice: We practice asking for what you want, saying "no" clearly, and navigating difficult conflicts while keeping relationships intact. The heart of my approach is constantly facilitating the Central Dialectic: the essential balance between radical self-acceptance and committed behavioral change. My role is to validate your experience while relentlessly coaching you toward a more skillful, stable, and fulfilling life.
Trauma-Focused CBT
My Approach to Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)My clinical approach is heavily informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a goal-oriented, practical, and highly structured form of psychotherapy. CBT is built on the core principle that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that by changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, we can change how we feel.My Experience with CBTI have extensive experience applying the CBT framework to help clients overcome challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress management. My experience involves guiding individuals through the systematic process of identifying, challenging, and restructuring unhelpful thought patterns (cognitive distortions) and developing more adaptive coping behaviors. It is a collaborative process where the client and I work as a team, focusing on tangible, measurable progress.How I Use CBT in PracticeI utilize CBT as a structured, short-term model that empowers clients to become their own therapists. The goal is to provide a toolbox of skills they can use long after therapy is complete. My application of CBT follows these key steps: 1. Psychoeducation and Conceptualization: Focus: First, we work together to understand how the client's current problems are maintained by the interaction of their thoughts, feelings, and actions—often visualized in a simple model. In Practice: We identify specific "hot thoughts" or automatic negative thoughts that drive emotional distress. 2. Cognitive Restructuring (The "Cognitive" Part): Focus: Learning to question and evaluate the validity of negative thoughts. In Practice: I coach clients to become effective "thought detectives." We challenge beliefs using evidence (What is the proof for this thought? What is the proof against it?) and develop balanced, reality-based alternative thoughts. 3. Behavioral Experiments (The "Behavioral" Part): Focus: Changing problematic behaviors and testing out new, more adaptive actions. In Practice: This often involves Activity Scheduling (to increase engagement and pleasure) or Exposure Therapy (for anxiety), where we systematically face feared situations to disconfirm negative predictions. 4. Skill-Building and Relapse Prevention: Focus: Equipping clients with practical, real-world skills to manage their mental health moving forward. In Practice: We establish consistent homework tasks and create a detailed plan for maintaining gains and addressing setbacks, ensuring the client has a robust set of tools for long-term well-being. Ultimately, my goal with CBT is to provide an active, hands-on experience where the client learns to take control of the cycle between their mind, body, and actions.