(she/her)
Life as a teen or young adult can feel like a constant balancing act — school, friends, family, and figuring out who you are. Sometimes it’s exciting, but other times it’s overwhelming. If you’ve been feeling anxious, stressed, or unsure about your next steps, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Being a teen or young adult is often very complex and is a time when many teens face challenges like anxiety, depression, self-esteem struggles, social pressure, identity exploration, and big life transitions like starting college or a first job. I also support parents who want to better understand and connect with their teens. Teens often feel like their stressors are minimized and ignored by adults instead of being taken seriously. I have worked as an AOD counselor for teens, worked in school settings including alternative education and nonpublic schools. I have experience in Juvenile Hall and working with college students in a variety of settings. I have experience with foster youth and supervised a program for teens in an STRTP (formerly group home) environment also provided individual therapy within the home during this time. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored appropriately for each teen or adult that I work with. With over 18 years of experience supporting young people, I understand the unique pressures this stage of life brings. My goal is to help teens feel heard, understood, and empowered to create the life they want. For me, I am the nonjudgmental support that would have benefitted me as a teen or young adult. Getting Started Specialties • Anxiety & Stress • Depression • Self-Esteem & Confidence • Life Transitions • Identity & Self-Discovery • Academic & Social Pressure • Trauma • Emotional regulation • Interpersonal skills • Risky behavior
In a first therapy session with me, you can expect a supportive, low-pressure environment where the focus is on getting to know you and understanding what brings you in. We would start by talking about your current concerns, what’s been going on in your life, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. I may ask questions about your mood, relationships, family, school or work, and any past experiences with therapy to get a fuller picture, but you can share at your own pace—there’s no pressure to disclose everything right away. I’ll also explain how therapy works, including confidentiality, its limits, and what you can expect from our sessions together so you feel informed and comfortable. As we talk, I’ll begin to get a sense of patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and we may start identifying some initial goals for treatment. Depending on your needs, I might introduce a simple coping strategy or small skill you can try between sessions, but the main focus of the first meeting is building trust and creating a space where you feel safe and understood. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions about the process or my approach. By the end of the session, we’ll have a clearer idea of what you want to work on and how we can move forward together.
I have the ability to build rapport and a strong therapeutic alliance with people from all walks of life.
I am best positioned to serve teens by creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where they feel heard, respected, and understood—something that is especially important during a stage of life marked by identity development, emotional intensity, and social pressure. I approach teens with empathy and authenticity, which helps build trust and engagement, particularly with those who may be hesitant or resistant to therapy. I tailor interventions to be developmentally appropriate, using clear language, relatable examples, and interactive strategies that keep them involved in the process. Drawing from evidence-based approaches like CBT, I help teens identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns while also teaching practical coping skills for managing stress, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal conflict. I also incorporate elements of a humanistic approach by validating their experiences and supporting their autonomy, which empowers them to take an active role in their own growth. Additionally, I recognize the importance of family, school, and peer systems in a teen’s life, and when appropriate, I collaborate with caregivers and other supports to ensure consistency and reinforce progress outside of sessions. Overall, my approach balances structure with flexibility, helping teens build insight, resilience, and confidence in a way that feels relevant and meaningful to them.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used in therapy by helping clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and then actively working to change unhelpful patterns. The therapist begins by providing psychoeducation about how situations do not directly cause emotional distress; rather, it is the individual’s interpretation of those situations that influences how they feel and act. During sessions, the therapist helps the client identify automatic negative thoughts that arise in response to specific situations, such as “I’m a failure” or “No one cares about me.” These thoughts are then examined for accuracy by identifying cognitive distortions like catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking. Through a process called cognitive restructuring, the therapist guides the client in challenging these thoughts by evaluating evidence for and against them and developing more balanced, realistic alternatives. In addition to cognitive work, CBT emphasizes behavioral interventions, such as encouraging clients to engage in meaningful activities to improve mood or gradually face avoided situations to reduce anxiety. Clients are typically given homework between sessions, such as thought records or activity scheduling, to practice these skills in real-life situations. Progress is regularly monitored, and treatment is adjusted based on the client’s needs and goals. Over time, clients learn to apply these skills independently, increasing their ability to manage symptoms and prevent relapse.
Humanistic
Using a humanistic perspective in therapy means focusing on the client as a whole person and creating a supportive environment where they can explore their feelings, values, and sense of self without judgment. The therapist emphasizes core conditions such as empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, which help build a strong therapeutic relationship and foster a sense of safety. Rather than directing the session or focusing heavily on diagnosing and problem-solving, the therapist allows the client to lead, trusting that individuals have an inherent capacity for growth and self-actualization. The therapist listens deeply and reflects the client’s experiences, helping them gain insight into their emotions and internal conflicts. Through this process, clients become more aware of their authentic selves, including discrepancies between how they see themselves and how they believe they “should” be. As self-awareness increases, clients are better able to make choices that align with their values and develop a stronger sense of self-acceptance. Overall, the humanistic approach prioritizes personal growth, self-exploration, and the therapeutic relationship as the primary vehicle for change.