LPC, 10 years of experience
New to Grow
With over 10 years of experience, I work collaboratively with individuals facing a diverse range of challenges, from managing Substance Use Disorders to navigating major life adjustments and transitions. I serve clients who are ready to make a change but may feel stuck or uncertain where to start. My goal is to help you recognize and utilize the powerful tools and strengths you already possess to move toward your best self. I provide a direct, supportive, and honest partnership to help you not just achieve your goals, but to sustain that success long after our work together is done.
The first session is a time for us to get to know each other. I want to hear your story, understand what brought you to counseling, and what you hope to gain from our work together. This isn't a rigid, formal meeting; it's a conversation. I’ll ask some open-ended questions to get a full picture of your life and challenges, and we may use some initial assessments to help us pinpoint your main concerns. My primary goal is to create a safe, judgment-free space where you feel comfortable being yourself. Together, we'll start to shape your treatment goals and lay the framework for a personalized plan that will guide our sessions. You can ask me questions, too—I want you to feel confident that this is the right space for your healing journey.
What truly distinguishes my therapeutic practice is my commitment to being a direct, yet deeply collaborative catalyst for concrete, customized change. I move beyond a single theory to use a proven toolkit that is efficient, empowering, and highly effective for clients ready to commit to their growth. My approach is characterized by "caring directness." Clients consistently find that I offer: Constructive Honesty: I provide the honest, clear, and sometimes blunt feedback that is necessary to break through old patterns and propel progress. Goal-Oriented Accountability: While always operating within a supportive environment, I help you stay focused on your defined goals, acting as a collaborative accountability partner to ensure you turn insight into action. I reject the "one-size-fits-all" model. My Eclectic/Integrative approach means: Methodical Modality Blending: I skillfully blend modalities like Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) for action planning, CBT for skill-building, Motivational Interviewing (MI) for overcoming ambivalence, and a Person-Centered foundation for safety. Maximized Efficiency: This integration ensures we use the right tool for the right job, leading to a more efficient and focused path to relief and skill acquisition, rather than prolonged, open-ended therapy. My ultimate goal is to make myself obsolete by ensuring you leave therapy equipped for life. Strengths-Based Focus: With my background in Substance Use and Life Adjustments, I constantly highlight the strengths and resources you already possess, using them as the foundation for building new solutions. Lasting Impact: This focus on skill acquisition and self-efficacy means the results we achieve are not temporary; you develop a personal toolkit and mindset to navigate future challenges independently.
I am best positioned to serve individuals who are ready to make meaningful, active changes and appreciate a balanced therapeutic approach that combines deep support with clear direction. The clients who thrive in my practice often share these characteristics: You may be navigating Substance Use Challenges, struggling with a major Life Adjustment or Transition (career, divorce, grief), or seeking practical tools to manage persistent Anxiety and Stress. The common thread is a desire to move from feeling stuck to actively progressing. You are prepared to shift your focus from dwelling solely on past problems to defining and building a better future. You value a therapist who is warm and supportive, but also direct, honest, and accountable in a way that fuels your momentum. Your ultimate goal is not just to feel better, but to gain self-reliance. You want to learn and practice a comprehensive set of tools (SFBT, CBT) that allow you to effectively manage future challenges and become your own best resource for long-term well-being. If you are dealing with a trauma history, you appreciate a pace that prioritizes safety and stability first, ensuring you feel empowered every step of the way.
My approach is highly personalized, using a different blend of tools depending on whether you need a supportive listener, concrete skills, goal-setting help, or trauma processing. The Eclectic (or Integrative) approach means I don't subscribe to a single, rigid school of thought. Instead, I carefully select and blend the most effective tools and techniques from various evidence-based modalities based entirely on your specific needs, personality, and the issue you're facing. This provides a truly customized and flexible therapeutic experience. By working eclectically, I ensure that your unique therapeutic journey is not constrained by one set of rules, but is instead dynamic, responsive, and always centered on what will help you achieve your goals most effectively.