New to Grow
I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in helping clients navigate anxiety and trauma-related symptoms so that they can lead happy and productive lives at home and at work. While the majority of my clients come to me for help dealing with anxiety and trauma, I also have expertise in helping people who suffer with depression and OCD. My approach is warm, patient, empathetic, and collaborative in using Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Exposure Response Prevention therapy, and Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Theory to create a safe space for growth and healing. With the right support, I believe that everyone can learn these therapeutic exercises and techniques to improve their overall quality of life. As your therapist, I am committed to meeting you where you are in your journey toward better mental health and to working with you to create a treatment plan that is realistic and effective. Reach out to schedule an assessment interview to get started!
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we will discuss what led you to seek therapy in the first place, what your goals are, and any relevant personal, family, and professional background information. While this information does not give me a comprehensive understanding of who you are, it does provide me with a "snapshot" of what stressors you are dealing with and what successes you may have had with therapy in the past. The first session is also an opportunity to see if we are a good "fit" for each other!
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
As a therapist, my greatest strengths are the compassion I have for others and my respect for each client's ability to grow in their understanding of themselves and to work toward achieving their therapeutic goals. I am skilled in meeting people where they are in their journey and working with them at a pace that feels manageable for them. In therapy, I will help you cultivate a more compassionate and accepting relationship with yourself.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
As your therapist, I am best positioned to serve people who have a clear idea of what their goals are in therapy and are willing to work to achieve them. While using therapy as a space to vent the frustrations of day-to-day life can be helpful, achieving long-term success in therapy involves gaining an understanding of how our minds work and being willing to learn and practice new skills to develop healthy ways of coping with stress. If you are coming to therapy primarily on the suggestion of your partner, friends, or family members, I would encourage you to consider what YOU would like to achieve in our time together. It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start, but having even a general idea of how you would like to improve the quality of your life can be helpful. Reaching out for help is something to be proud of, and I look forward to working with you.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
When we experience intrusive or obsessive thoughts and painful emotions, many of us spend a lot of time and energy avoiding these symptoms. With this treatment method, my role is to support you in developing a gentler and more accepting relationship with these difficult thoughts and emotions. Learning how to better manage these symptoms, in turn, will allow you to make your decisions in accordance with your values.
Trauma Informed Care
I have years of experience working with clients suffering with trauma-related symtpom presentations. Living with trauma-related symptoms can feel like being repeatedly swept up in mini-tornados of anxiety, panic, and hypervigilance. Using a trauma-informed CBT treatment method, I support clients in addressing their symptoms holistically through the use of progressive muscle relaxation exercises, exposure therapy exercises, and cognitive exercises. My role is to meet you where you are and commit to work with you at a pace with which you are most comfortable.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
With CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), my role is to support your efforts to understand the connection between your thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors. In this collaborative treatment modality, I provide you with tools to unravel unhelpful thought patterns, decrease emotional stress, and support you in making decisions in accordance with your value system.