LCSW, 3 years of experience
Welcome! You're in the right place. I am a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with 3 years of experience in both inpatient (residential and partial hospitalization) and outpatient settings. I have experience treating adolescents, adults, families, and couples with various presenting concerns, such as eating and feeding disorders, anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationship concerns/family conflict, self-esteem, and life transitions/adjustment (such as from military service to civilian life, university, marriage, family development, etc.).
Introductions set the tone in the therapeutic relationship; as such, I keep intake and early sessions therapeutically light, allowing for rapport building and treatment plan collaboration. My goal in the early stages of building the therapeutic relationship is to see you, to hear you, and create a safe space for you.
My therapeutic approach is to meet clients where they are. I combine various therapy modalities to fit the needs of the individual, while incorporating holistic components to build stability in day-to-day life, challenging oppressive systems, and building healthy relationships with self, others, and the world around you. We will work together to uncover limiting core beliefs, challenge intrusive/automatic thoughts, unlearn what is no longer serving you, develop healthy and direct communication, and build and repair interpersonal relationships. In this space, you are accepted as you as, and you will be held accountable for the healing journey that you wish to embark on. As a therapist, I am an empathetic educator, and my job is to empower and uplift you to build trust in yourself, in your needs, and give yourself permission to evolve and change.
I collaborate best with clients who are open and honest in the therapeutic relationship and who are ready to do the work, together. I encourage clients to devote time and space to themselves, not just in the session, but also between sessions. You will get the most out of your therapy experience if you're also engaged in reflection, journaling, and practice (whether that be exposure, relational development, and/or community building). I encourage clients to build and strengthen their support systems, as well as places and spaces where they can engage in vulnerability, outside of the therapeutic relationship.
I utilize ACT in combination with other treatment modalities to improve an individual's psychological flexibility. Acceptance and Commitment therapy seeks to help the individual embrace their inner experience (acceptance), detach from thoughts, remain in the present moment, connect with the observing self (noticing thoughts, feelings without judgement), explore and define one's values, and put those values into action.
I utilize CBT in combination with other treatment modalities to bring attention to how one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another. With CBT interventions (such as socratic questioning), an individual can learn to challenge their initial/intrusive/automatic thoughts and form more balanced perspectives. Through psychoeducational resources and practice (in and outside of therapy sessions), individuals learn to observe thoughts, feelings, and urges (behaviors) without judgement, and (when problem behaviors) without action - understanding the time it took to develop these habits, the individual engages in practice to work towards establishing healthier habits that are in line with their present value systems.
I utilize attachment-based therapy to help individuals explore how their early childhood experiences and relationships with caregivers have impacted their ability to form and maintain healthy relationships throughout life. This therapy aims to help individuals develop secure attachment styles, improve emotional regulation, and enhance their capacity for intimacy and connection with others.
I utilize trainings from Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and IFS (Internal Family Systems), as well as a combination of other treatment modalities in collaboration with couples to uncover primary concerns in their relationships, and work towards establishing healthier communication styles. I start off providing all parties with the understanding that couples therapy is not about "fixing one partner", but rather a commitment made by both individuals to do the work.