LMFT, 12 years of experience
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for helping individuals and families reclaim their peace, navigate life’s challenges, and build healthier relationships. With a background in both clinical and correctional mental health, I bring a compassionate, culturally responsive, and solution-focused approach to therapy. Whether you’re working through trauma, seeking greater emotional balance, or simply needing support, I’m here to walk alongside you with honesty, care, and practical tools that empower real change.
In our first session, my goal is to create a welcoming and safe space where you can begin to share what’s bringing you to therapy. We’ll go over your concerns, explore your goals, and I’ll ask some questions to better understand your background, values, and what you hope to gain from our work together. This session is also a chance for you to ask questions and get a feel for my style. There’s no pressure to dive too deep right away, we’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable and respectful to you. My focus is on building a strong, collaborative relationship so you feel supported and understood from the very beginning.
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to create a safe, honest, and culturally responsive space where clients feel seen and empowered. I blend evidence-based methods, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, with genuine connection and practical tools that clients can apply in real life. I’m grounded, direct when needed, and deeply compassionate. Whether you’re working through trauma, rebuilding trust in yourself, or navigating systems that feel overwhelming, I meet you where you are and walk with you toward lasting, meaningful change.
I’m best positioned to serve individuals who are motivated to grow, even if they’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start. Many of my clients are navigating life transitions, trauma, anxiety, or relationship challenges and are seeking a safe, nonjudgmental space to process, heal, and move forward. I work well with people who value honesty and want practical tools, not just insight to create meaningful change. Whether you're working on setting boundaries, rebuilding self-worth, or learning to manage strong emotions, I’m here to support you with compassion and clarity.
I have extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a foundational approach in my clinical work. I was formally trained in CBT during my graduate studies and have continued to deepen my expertise through ongoing clinical practice and professional development. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I regularly use CBT to help individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and change behavior that may be contributing to distress or dysfunction. In my work, especially with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or adjustment issues, I integrate CBT by collaboratively identifying cognitive distortions, practicing thought restructuring, and using behavioral experiments to support change. I also incorporate tools such as thought records, activity scheduling, and exposure techniques when clinically appropriate. What I appreciate most about CBT is its structured yet flexible nature. I often pair it with mindfulness practices and elements of narrative or solution-focused therapy, depending on the client’s needs. Whether I’m working with individuals, families, or those involved in the justice system, CBT allows me to offer evidence-based, goal-oriented support that empowers clients to regain a sense of agency and control in their lives.
I regularly utilize Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as a strengths-based and future-oriented approach in my practice. My experience with SFBT began during my graduate training and has expanded through years of working with individuals, families, and justice-involved populations. I find this model especially effective in fast-paced or crisis-oriented settings, such as correctional mental health, child welfare, and CARE Court, where clients may feel overwhelmed by their current circumstances and benefit from focusing on achievable goals and small, meaningful changes. In practice, I use SFBT to help clients identify what’s already working, clarify their values and goals, and build on existing strengths and resources. I often ask solution-focused questions like, ‘What would be different if things got better?’ or ‘When was the last time you felt more in control, and what was different then?’ These conversations create space for hope and self-efficacy, even when the client is experiencing significant distress or systemic barriers. Because many of my clients are facing complex psychosocial or legal challenges, I often blend SFBT with other modalities, such as CBT or trauma-informed care, to ensure that while we stay focused on solutions, we are still honoring the client’s lived experience. SFBT helps keep the work goal-directed, collaborative, and empowering qualities that are crucial in both clinical and systems-level interventions.