New to Grow
I’m a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 13 years experience. I am passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel truly heard and understood. My path to becoming a therapist was deeply personal. I began therapy as a teenager and had difficult experiences that left me feeling unseen and misunderstood. Those experiences ultimately shaped my commitment to becoming the kind of therapist I once needed but could not find. In my practice, I strive to offer a warm, collaborative environment where clients can explore anxiety, life transitions, relationships, trauma, and personal growth at their own pace. I believe in meeting each person where they are, honoring their unique story, and working together to build insight, healing, and meaningful change.
In our first session, my primary focus is getting to know you and beginning to build a comfortable, trusting therapeutic relationship. I take time to understand what brings you to therapy, what you hope to gain from the process, and any current challenges you may be experiencing. This session is also an opportunity for you to share at your own pace while I listen and ask thoughtful questions to better understand your story. I aim to create a supportive space where you feel heard, validated, and reminded that you are not alone in what you are going through. Together, we begin laying the foundation for a collaborative and meaningful therapeutic journey.
What makes me different as a therapist is both my professional experience and my very personal understanding of what it feels like to not always feel seen or supported in therapy. I started therapy as a teenager and had some really difficult experiences, which is what ultimately led me to become the kind of therapist I once needed but could not find. I am someone who truly listens, validates, and makes space for people to feel safe being themselves. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients, and I really enjoy meeting people where they are, no matter what they’re going through. I genuinely believe there is so much strength and potential in every person, even when it’s hard for them to see it themselves. One of the best parts of my job is watching clients grow, gain confidence, and create meaningful change in their lives. It’s an honor to be part of that process.
My “dream client” is really anyone who is open to growth and willing to engage in the therapeutic process. I especially enjoy working with individuals experiencing anxiety, as well as those navigating a wide range of life challenges such as career transitions, personal development, and recovery from unhealthy or abusive relationships. I also value working with adolescents and adults across different stages of life who are seeking support in understanding themselves better and building healthier patterns. Overall, I am most energized by clients who are motivated to explore change, develop insight, and work collaboratively toward meaningful goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my practice because it is an evidence-based, structured approach that effectively helps clients identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. CBT supports clients in developing practical coping skills they can apply in daily life to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. I also value its collaborative and goal-oriented framework, which empowers clients to gain insight into the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while making measurable progress toward treatment goals.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) because it helps clients develop psychological flexibility and learn how to relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions rather than trying to eliminate them. ACT emphasizes acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based action, which supports clients in building a meaningful life even in the presence of distress. I find it particularly helpful for clients struggling with anxiety, trauma, and self-criticism, as it encourages them to reduce avoidance and move toward what matters most to them.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore and resolve ambivalence about change in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. MI is a collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens intrinsic motivation by eliciting the client’s own reasons for change rather than imposing direction. I find it especially effective in early stages of treatment or when clients feel stuck, as it enhances engagement, builds confidence, and supports readiness to take meaningful action toward their goals.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I also use a person-centered approach because it emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for growth and healing. This approach is rooted in providing unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuine support, allowing clients to feel heard, accepted, and understood without judgment. I value this framework because it fosters a safe and trusting environment where clients can explore their experiences openly and develop greater self-awareness and self-acceptance at their own pace.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I also incorporate culturally sensitive therapy to ensure that treatment is respectful of and responsive to each client’s cultural identity, values, and lived experiences. I recognize that factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background can significantly shape a client’s worldview and experiences of distress. I strive to create a safe and affirming space where cultural context is explored and integrated into the therapeutic process, and where interventions are tailored to align with the client’s unique cultural framework.