LCSW, 13 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing teletherapy to adults in Virginia. My work is grounded in compassion, respect, and curiosity. I approach therapy as a collaboration where we make space for what’s difficult, confusing, or painful while also noticing progress and moments of relief. Clients often describe our sessions as calm and genuine, with humor and honesty mixed in. I practice from a person-centered and humanistic framework, integrating CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and narrative work as needed. I’m agnostic and open to people of all faiths and worldviews. My focus is on helping you understand your experiences, manage distress, and find meaning that feels true to you. Therapy isn’t supposed to always feel good. It can be uncomfortable and tiring at times. My hope is that you leave each session with a little more clarity, support, and confidence in yourself.
The first session is more of a conversation than an assessment. I’ll ask questions about what’s been happening, what you’ve tried so far, and what you hope to get from therapy. We’ll also talk about safety, privacy, and what to expect emotionally after sessions. Therapy can bring up feelings that are uncomfortable—sometimes people feel more tired or unsettled before they start to feel better. That’s normal, and we’ll plan ahead for it. You can expect honesty, warmth, and space to speak freely. We’ll discuss practical things—missed sessions, contact methods, emergency plans—so you know exactly how I handle communication and care. By the end of that first meeting, my goal is for you to feel that this is a space you can speak freely without judgment, be understood and not have to hold everything alone.
Clients often tell me that my calm, authentic presence makes it easier to talk about difficult things. I’m not a distant observer—I engage, reflect, and sometimes use humor to help people find perspective in the middle of hard things. I balance warmth with honesty, and I don’t shy away from difficult emotions or complex experiences. I don’t rush people through their stories. My work draws from multiple evidence-based approaches, but what defines it is the way I listen and adapt. I’ve worked with both civilian and military populations and understand the balance between vulnerability, responsibility, and resilience. I take confidentiality, consent, and boundaries seriously, and clients know I’ll always explain why we’re doing something and how it connects to their goals. Therapy with me is both reflective and practical. Some sessions center on skill-building; others focus on meaning and emotion. What makes my approach effective is not a single method but the connection, honesty, and mutual respect that guide everything we do.
The people I work best with are adults who are ready to look honestly at their experiences, even when that brings discomfort. Many of my clients are navigating anxiety, grief, depression, or trauma. Some are military service members or spouses adjusting to changes in role, identity, or connection. Others come in because they’re simply ready to stop carrying everything on their own and are trying to become more hopeful day to day. My ideal clients understand that therapy isn’t about perfection or constant relief—it’s about learning how to hold both the good and the difficult at the same time. They may come to therapy tired of coping alone or unsure where to begin. They may want to build healthier boundaries, improve relationships, or learn how to tolerate distress without shutting down. If you value honesty, reflection, and small, steady progress—and you’re open to a process that includes both laughter and discomfort—then therapy with me will likely feel like a good fit.
Clients describe my sessions as a calm, nonjudgmental space where they feel seen and supported. My role is to meet each person where they are and honor their pace while helping them explore their experiences, challenges, and strengths. We build goals together that reflect what matters most—whether that’s healing from trauma, strengthening relationships, or simply feeling a little more at peace each week. Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in dignity, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.
I tailor therapy to each client rather than one model. Drawing from CBT, DBT, Narrative, and Family Systems approaches, we explore patterns, trauma, and relationships through both insight and skill-building. When trauma is present, I focus on understanding its impact, restoring a sense of safety, and finding meaning without rushing exposure or re-triggering pain. I use limited, gentle exposure only when it feels helpful and wanted—supporting clients in making meaning of what they’ve lived through rather than simply revisiting it. Healing is collaborative and always guided by what feels safe for the client.
Many clients find peace through grounding and mindfulness practices that reduce anxiety and build awareness of thoughts, emotions, and patterns of avoidance. Alongside that, I often bring in existential reflections—questions about purpose, identity, and what gives life meaning—especially during times of loss, change, or uncertainty. These practices strengthen distress tolerance and help clients reconnect with hope, resilience, and a greater sense of choice in how they respond to life’s challenges.
Many of the challenges we face are rooted in how we connect—with others and with ourselves. I use attachment-based and interpersonal approaches to help clients notice the patterns that shape their relationships, communication, and boundaries. Together we explore where those patterns come from and practice new ways of relating that feel more secure and authentic. The goal is to strengthen connection, build self-trust, and create a deeper sense of belonging and emotional safety.
My style is collaborative, reflective, and curious. I listen closely and mirror what I hear to help clients recognize their own strengths, insights, and motivation for change. We look for what’s already working and build from there, rather than focusing only on what feels broken. When resistance or uncertainty appears, we work with it instead of against it—helping clients feel empowered, supported, and capable of making lasting shifts both in therapy and in life outside of it.