LISW, 3 years of experience
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker with nearly 20 years of experience helping clients build resilience, balance, and meaningful change. I have expertise in working with individuals on the autism spectrum, teens, young adults, but I also support clients of all ages facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. Over the years, I have worked in diverse settings including community-based programs, hospitals, crisis services, and higher levels of care such as Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) programs. My collaborative, solution-focused approach draws from DBT, CBT, and strengths-based strategies to empower growth and self-confidence. With both professional expertise and personal experience supporting loved ones through mental health challenges, I offer a safe, compassionate space where clients feel understood, supported, and gently held accountable. I believe mental health and overall wellness are deeply connected, so I emphasize caring for both mind and body in therapy. In addition to my clinical work, I have spent over 11 years as a high school soccer coach, which has strengthened my ability to mentor, motivate, and foster resilience skills I carry into my therapeutic practice.
In our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and talking about what brings you to therapy. I’ll ask questions about your goals, your strengths, and some of the challenges you’re facing, while also giving you space to share at your own pace. This session is more about conversation than “therapy homework” it’s a chance for us to build trust, discuss how I work, and decide together how therapy can best support you. By the end of our first meeting, we’ll outline some initial goals, and you’ll have a better sense of what ongoing sessions with me will look like.
My greatest strengths as a therapist are my ability to create a safe, supportive space and my skill in blending structure with compassion. I am collaborative by nature and strive to meet clients exactly where they are, helping them feel both understood and encouraged to grow. I have a strong ability to break down complex challenges into manageable steps, offering practical tools while also fostering self-awareness and resilience. Clients often tell me they appreciate my balance of empathy, honesty, and creativity, which helps them feel motivated and hopeful about the changes they are working toward.
My ideal clients are adolescents and young adults who feel overwhelmed by their emotions, struggle with self-esteem, or find themselves stuck in unhelpful patterns they want to change. I also work closely with young adults on the autism spectrum who are learning to navigate relationships, life transitions, and coping skills. Many of my clients come to therapy seeking practical tools to manage anxiety, depression, or stress, and value a collaborative, strengths-based approach where we build resilience, self-understanding, and a more balanced, fulfilling life together. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard and understood, and where growth feels both challenging and achievable. Whether someone is just starting their therapy journey or looking to deepen the work they’ve already begun, I aim to meet each client where they are and help them move toward the future they want.
I integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into my practice by helping clients build skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and healthy relationships, drawing on my experience facilitating DBT-based groups in intensive treatment settings.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, challenge distortions, and build healthier coping strategies, drawing on my experience leading CBT-based groups in higher levels of care.
I take a strength-based approach by helping clients recognize their unique abilities and resilience, using these strengths as a foundation for growth and healing in therapy.