LCSW, 25 years of experience
New to Grow
I came To social work through my own life experiences and challenge, early in adulthood , which gave me a deep understanding of how meaningful it is to find support when you need it most. My professional path has allowed me to work closely with individuals and families impacted by addiction, depression and other life stressors. Over the years, I've helped clients find hope, healing, and practical ways to improve their well-being. I bring both personal insight and clinical training to my practice, and I strive to create a space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make lasting change.
Our first session is focused on getting to know you—your story, your goals, and what kind of support you’re looking for. I’ll ask questions to better understand your background and current challenges, and together we’ll develop a treatment plan that fits your needs and comfort level. My goal is to ensure that you feel safe, understood, and hopeful about the path ahead.
My greatest strengths come from a combination of lived experience and professional expertise. I understand what it feels like to ask for help and the courage it takes to begin therapy. I’m an active participant in each session, offering thoughtful feedback and guidance to help you gain insight and make progress toward your goals.
I specialize in working with individuals and families affected by addiction, including alcohol, drugs, gambling, and other behavioral addictions. I also frequently work with clients managing anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. My background includes experience in various treatment settings—detox, inpatient, rehabilitation, and outpatient care—which helps me meet clients wherever they are in their recovery or mental health journey. My work with addictions includes family members as well.
I have used this approach for many years as a useful therapy format. CBT helps a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful (for example, having a low opinion of their abilities) and then question those thoughts, understand how the thoughts affect their emotions and behavior, and change self-defeating behavior patterns.
I have used Motivational Interviewing to help clients decide if they have a problem with chemical use and for them to explore the effects chemicals have had on their lives.
Psycho-education is used to educate a client about their presenting problems and effective ways to make changes.