LCSW, 6 years of experience
New to Grow
I am confident I can support you in making positive changes in your life. I have dedicated the last 16 years of my life to the field of mental health, with a particular focus on change. I believe in an individual's ability to change and recover. I have co-authored articles published in the field of addictions, specifically harm reduction and homelessness. I have worked in research labs studying Bipolar Disorder, Autism, and the Gut/Brain axis. I have worked in an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab, numerous inpatient psychiatric units, emergency departments, a children’s hospital, and a nursing home. I have witnessed extreme forms of resilience, and I will work to translate this into your life. I have my Master's in Social Work and am educated in how our social and political systems impact mental health. I am also social justice-minded. I can provide a safe shelter for those overwhelmed by current affairs. I can help teach you skills to manage the traumatic stress that so many experience daily. Most recently, I worked in the depths of Philadelphia's opiate crisis at an inpatient drug and alcohol center where I provided both individual and group therapy. If you are struggling with addiction or addictive behaviors, I am confident I am well prepared to help you. I have personally worked on my own mental health recovery and can offer a personal perspective on the healing process. I was born and raised in Minnesota, but have lived in Seattle, Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia. I would be so happy to speak with you further if you feel we might be a good fit. You have already started the change process and should feel proud!
I will create a safe, compassionate, non-judgmental environment. I will meet you where you are at, and we will discuss what feels most urgent and necessary for you. I will lead from behind you. I have learned and studied numerous modalities (CBT, DBT, Mindfulness-based stress reduction, Trauma Art Narrative Therapy) and utilized them in group and individual sessions. We will collaborate and utilize what we believe is the best fit for your goals.
I will bring my caring, compassionate, authentic self to our therapeutic relationship. I have grown through my own mental health challenges and facilitated my own balanced recovery. I have found mindfulness, mind/body/somatic work, creativity, and spiritual development to be important practices that not only have helped me, but that I can utilize to help you, too. I believe I have a unique understanding to support individuals with their recovery.
Individuals who are open and willing to form a new therapeutic relationship. Those who want their lives to be actionably better.
It is important to me that clients feel seen, heard, and supported. I utilize my natural empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, which I find helpful and therapeutic in the change process.
Meditation has been the most challenging and transformational change I have made in my life. I was taught mediation by physicians. Therefore, have an understanding of how meditation can transform both physical and mental wellness. I would be happy to help you develop a meditation practice and ways to add more mindfulness to your life.
I have studied ways to regulate the nervous system and reduce stress in the body. I have researched the Gut/Brain axis and how nutrition impacts the mind and mood. I believe it can be helpful to utilize a holistic approach and address the mind and the body.