(she/her)
Welcome, I am glad you're here. Reaching out for help can be scary and I applaud you taking this first step. My approach with therapy is to provide a space where you feel comfortable being yourself, where you can talk openly, feel heard and begin to work through what has been weighing on you. I see therapy as a collaborative effort to find what works for you to feel stronger, more balanced and ultimately, more connected to what matters most to you in a world that often seems "un-connected". With more than 20 years of experience in social work and behavioral health, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals and families through a wide range of challenges. My professional background includes work in hospitals, nursing facilities, home health and hospice care, where I provided compassionate support to individuals coping with aging, illness, grief and major life transitions. My experience also includes supporting families involved in protective services, working with families navigating difficult circumstances. Across all settings, my focus has remained on providing client-centered care while helping individuals and families build stability, resilience, and hope. I have both a Bachelors and a Masters in Social Work. In my lifetime I have been a daughter, sister, partner, wife, mother (to both human and fur baby) and friend.
In our first session, the main focus will be getting to know one another and creating a comfortable space for you to share your story. We will spend some time talking about what brought you to therapy, what you hope to gain from the process, and any expectations or questions you may have. My goal during this time is to listen carefully and understand your experiences. I may ask questions to better understand your situation, the conversation is meant to be supportive and collaborative-not like an interrogation. Most importantly, I want you to feel heard, respected and safe as we begin this journey.
My greatest strengths as a therapist include creating a warm, nonjudgemental environment where clients feel heard and understood while also helping them move toward meaningful change. I balance empathy with practical, evidence-based strategies. Many of my clients share that they appreciate my ability to help them identify patterns that keep them feeling stuck, and devleoping better coping skills. I appreciate the use of humor as a coping strategy, not as a distraction.
My focus is on individual therapy. Many of the clients I work best with are people navigating through difficult seasons of life. This may include individuals living with chronic illness, those grieving the loss of someone or something important to them, or people going through major life transitions. These experiences can bring uncertainty, emotional pain and a sense of being overwhelmed. I enjoy supporting clients who are looking for a compassionate space to process what they're going through, make meaning of their experiences and find ways to overcome forward with strength and hope. While these are areas I frequently work with, I welcome anyone who feels that this kind of supportive and compassionate approach would be helpful for them. If you're unsure whether I would be a good fit, I'm always happy to talk briefly and help point you in the right direction.
Other specialties
I identify as
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
This type of therapy helps people learn how to handle difficult thoughts and emotions without letting them take over their lives. ACT is helpful when learning new ways to respond to experiences with a greater awareness and self compassion. Together, we can work on what truly matters to you with consideration of your values, goals and challenges.
Motivational Interviewing
This style of therapy helps people to explore their own reasoning for a desire to change. What motivates you to change? Together we can look at what may be getting in your way and build confidence in your ability to move past it, closer to your goals.
Biofeedback
This tool helps people to learn how their body responds to stress, emotions and trauma. This is especially helpful for people that often feel anxious, overwhelmed or "stressed". We can learn how to better regulate our physical reactions to emotional issues. This is a collaborative process where we practice these skills together to use them in everyday life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
This approach helps people to learn practical tools for managing intense emotions, improving relationships and coping with stressful situations. This therapy encompasses many new "skills" , such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and emotional regulations. Coaching and Group work are also utilized. This therapy can be effective in helping people feel more balanced and in control of reactions.