Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Beginning therapy is an act of courage, and I honor that deeply. I know that deciding to share your story with someone, especially when you have been carrying so much for so long, is no small thing. That is why I approach our first session with care, patience, and curiosity. You will not be rushed. You will not be expected to know exactly what to say. You will be met exactly where you are. In our first session, we begin by simply getting to know each other. I will invite you to share whatever feels important or safe to bring into the space. Sometimes that means talking about what brought you to therapy right away. Other times, it means easing in slowly and focusing on comfort first. Both approaches are welcome. There is no right way to begin. This first session is not about rushing into answers. It is about creating a space where you can feel emotionally safe and supported. We might explore what has been weighing on you, how you have been coping, or what you would like to feel more of in your life. You are allowed to ramble, pause, cry, or laugh. You do not have to be polished. You just get to be real. I may ask questions about your day-to-day life so I can learn how you move through the world. That might include your work, family, relationships, or community. I want to understand the roles you hold and the ways culture, faith, and past experiences have shaped your story. I believe therapy works best when your full identity is centered and respected. I see you as a whole person, not a set of symptoms. We will also talk about what therapy looks like. I will walk you through confidentiality, your rights as a client, and how we will work together over time. You can ask anything — even the things you think you are supposed to already know. This space is for you, and that includes feeling informed and comfortable with the process. Some clients arrive knowing exactly what they want to work on. Others feel numb, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to start. Either one is perfectly okay. You do not need to have your story figured out to begin. You just need a willingness to show up for yourself, even gently. By the end of the first session, my hope is that you feel grounded and less alone. You may not have every answer yet, but you will have taken an important step — you will have started. We will talk about what you want to focus on going forward, and if it feels right, I may offer some early reflections or insights based on what I noticed. This is a collabora

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a space that feels deeply safe, warm, and affirming. This is especially important for people who are used to showing up strong for everyone else. Many of the clients I work with are carrying emotional loads that no one can see. They are high-achieving, dependable, and thoughtful, often holding things together at work, at home, and in their communities. But underneath all that strength is someone who is tired, someone who is hurting, someone who just wants a moment to be held without having to be strong. I specialize in working with clients who are rarely asked how they are truly doing. I know how to sit with people who are used to performing, people-pleasing, or staying silent to avoid conflict. My strength is in seeing past the surface and gently supporting clients in reconnecting with themselves. I do this not through pressure or perfectionism, but through presence and care. Clients often share that they feel emotionally safe with me from the very beginning. That is intentional. I listen closely, not just to the words but to the meaning beneath them. I hold space for silence, for honesty, and for the emotions that are hard to name. I believe healing does not come from being fixed. It comes from being witnessed, supported, and honored. Culturally responsive care is not something I offer separately. It is part of everything I do. I honor your lived experience, your identity, your values, and your story. As a Black woman, I understand the weight of being strong when what you really need is rest. I bring both personal experience and clinical training into the room. I understand how generational pain, systemic stress, and cultural expectations shape how we show up and how we survive. I center that in our work together. I bring a calm and grounded energy into session. Clients often tell me it feels like they can finally exhale. That is not by accident. I want you to feel like you can bring your whole self into the space without judgment. Whether we are processing trauma, navigating grief, exploring relationships, or learning how to rest, I meet you where you are. We move at a pace that respects your nervous system and your readiness. While I use research-supported techniques, I never use clinical language that feels cold or distant. I explain everything in ways that make sense for your life. Whether we are talking through emotional regulation, relationship dynamics, or inner child work, I

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are the ones who hold it together for everyone else. They are the listeners, the fixers, the go-to person when things fall apart. On the outside, they are successful, reliable, and capable. But inside, they often feel overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally tired, and disconnected from their own needs. Many of the people I support are Black women, caregivers, first-generation professionals, high-achievers, or those navigating identity, grief, trauma, or transitions. They’ve learned how to survive but are now looking for a space to finally breathe, feel, and heal. You might be burned out from carrying your family, your work, and your emotions with no room to rest. You may struggle with setting boundaries, speaking up for yourself, or feeling like you’re allowed to ask for help. You may feel like you’re constantly performing, even when no one’s watching. My ideal clients are insightful and self-aware, even if they’re still learning how to put language to their pain. They’re open to healing, even if they’ve never had space to truly explore it. Therapy with me is for those who want to stop surviving and start coming home to themselves. You don’t need to be perfect to begin...just ready to start.