New to Grow
As a therapist, I believe in walking alongside you through life’s most difficult challenges. My greatest strength is utilizing our space to truly listen, ensuring you feel heard and understood. Building a genuine rapport is my ultimate goal; without this foundation of comfort and trust, the real work of healing cannot begin. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, chronic illness, or the heavy weight of caregiving and grief, I offer a supportive sanctuary for your story. By blending evidence-based practices like CBT with a focus on your unique strengths, we will work together to build a brighter, more resilient future.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
I want you to feel heard, empowered, and supported from the very first time we meet. I believe that you are the expert on your own life, so I always encourage you to share what is on your mind. During our first session(s), we will focus on building a strong rapport. This allows you to get to know me and my style, creating the safety needed to share your 'true truths.' As we get to know each other, I’ll complete an initial assessment to understand your full story—your background, your strengths, and your goals. We will work as a team to create a plan that feels meaningful and aligned with your needs. Because progress looks different for everyone, our work will be a collaborative journey tailored specifically to you."
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strength is that I use our space together to truly listen, ensuring your voice is the central guide of our work. I believe that building a genuine rapport and making you feel comfortable is my first and ultimate goal, as trust is the bedrock of any transformative journey. Without this foundation of safety, the deeper work of exploration and healing cannot fully begin. By prioritizing your comfort, I create a non-judgmental environment where you can feel secure enough to peel back layers and speak your honest truth. Together, we will honor the pace of your progress, ensuring you feel seen and supported every step of the way.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with individuals who view therapy as a collaborative partnership. While I am here to act as your guide and support, I recognize that you are the expert on your own life; our sessions represent only a small fraction of your week, and my goal is to empower you for the hours in between. I provide a dedicated space for you to show up as your truest self, where I will gently challenge your perspectives and offer new insights. This is your time, and I am committed to ensuring our work together aligns with your unique needs and goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In session(s) I work collaboratively with the client to identify the "Cognitive Triangle," illustrating how specific thoughts directly trigger distressing emotions and unhelpful behaviors.I use tools such as Socratic questioning to help my client evaluate the evidence for their negative beliefs, effectively challenging "cognitive distortions" like catastrophizing or overgeneralization. Together, we work together to develop "behavioral activation" plans, which involve scheduling specific activities to break cycles of avoidance or lethargy. Clients are encouraged to practice this as homework, due to the action oriented nature of this type of therapy.
Grief Therapy
In grief therapy, I helps my client navigate the complex emotional landscape of loss by providing a safe, non-judgmental space to process intense feelings like denial, anger, and yearning. Using models such as the Dual Process Model, I assist my client in oscillating between "loss-oriented" work, such as crying or reminiscing, and "restoration-oriented" tasks, like adjusting to a new life routine. I often encourage "meaning-making," helping my client find ways to honor the loved one while integrating the reality of the loss into his/her personal narrative. Also, I address "complicated grief" by identifying and softening the psychological barriers—such as excessive guilt or avoidance—that can keep a person feeling stuck in a permanent state of acute mourning. Ultimately, clients are encouraged to not to "get over" the loss, instead assist my client establish a "continuing bond" that allows him/her to carry the memory of the deceased while moving forward with a meaningful life.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is a core therapeutic tool where I provides evidence-based information to help my client understand the biological, social, and psychological components of his/her mental health. By explaining a diagnosis or the "why" behind symptoms—such as how a panic attack is the body's natural "fight-or-flight" response gone awry—I help normalize my client's experience and reduces feelings of shame or brokenness. I often use visual aids, handouts, or worksheets during sessions to teach practical coping strategies, ensuring the client has a clear "mental map" of his/her treatment plan. This collaborative approach shifts the dynamic from a top-down medical model to a partnership, empowering my client to become an active participant in his/her own recovery.
Supportive
In supportive therapy, I focus on establishing a strong "therapeutic alliance" to provide immediate emotional stabilization and reinforcement of my client's existing strengths. Unlike more intensive forms of therapy that delve into the unconscious or aim for personality restructuring, this approach is conversational and centers on the "here and now" to help my client manage daily stressors. I use techniques like validation, active listening, and "plussing" (offering sincere praise) to bolster my client's self-esteem and reduce the isolation often felt during a crisis. Psychoeducation and gentle advice are frequently integrated to help the client understand his/her symptoms and develop practical, adaptive coping skills for their current situation. Ultimately, the goal is to serve as a reliable "anchor" of stability, empowering the client to navigate life’s challenges with increased resilience and confidence.
Strength-Based
A strength-based approach in therapy shifts the focus from "what is wrong" to "what is strong," prioritizing my client's existing talents and resources rather than just his/her symptoms . In sessions, I use a collaborative, conversational style to help clients identify his/her personal assets, such as resilience, organizational skills, or a supportive social network . Instead of asking only about problems, the I ask, "What does a good day look like for you?" to uncover hidden potential and goals. This model often involves "strengths mapping," where I work collaboratively with my client to link individual skills with community resources, like social groups or local facilities. Ultimately, this empowering framework helps clients move beyond diagnostic labels to build a holistic plan for well-being based on their unique identity and capabilities.