(he/him)
New to Grow
I have worked in an inpatient behavioral health center for the last 15 years which has provided me a great opportunity to gain experience with most of the reasons why someone would seek therapy. I prefer to not take the role of the "expert" in therapy and feel it is important to have a collaborative approach. That doesn't mean that I won't challenge you or point out maladaptive behavioral patterns/thought processes. I pride myself on being personal and authentic while keeping the focus on you.
I believe it is necessary to build a sense of trust and comfort in the therapeutic relationship. I try to do this in the first session by gathering information, developing goals, and building rapport.
I feel one of my greatest strengths is authenticity and empathy, while never feeling overly confident in my work as a therapist. I believe this drives my desire for self improvement and finding ways to be more effective to the individuals I serve.
I prefer therapy to feel more like a conversation than the traditional sense of therapy. If you are someone who is open to self-exploration and willing to engage in the therapeutic process, even if you feel uncertain or nervous at times, I hope we can work together. You may be navigating challenges such as anxiety, stress, life transitions, substance abuse/misuse, or past experiences that continue to impact your present. While you may not have all the answers, if you are curious about understanding yourself more deeply and motivated to create meaningful change in your life I would like to help you explore this and hopefully make positive lasting change.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I believe individuals have the power to recognize maladaptive patterns of thought/behavior and want to make changes to improve themselves. I work with individuals to identify these maladaptive patterns and create new ones.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
It is typical to chase happiness, however when we engage in behaviors trying to get a desired result, or to remedy stress we feel from not living in alignment with our values, we create additional suffering. I like to help individuals identify their values and ways to cope with distress so they can stay committed to their higher sense of intention.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has shown it to be a practical and structured approach for helping individuals understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my practice, I use CBT as a collaborative, goal-oriented process. I work with clients to identify specific concerns, set achievable goals, and apply techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and problem-solving.
Trauma Informed Care
I understand that many individuals have experienced trauma in various forms, and these experiences can significantly influence how they perceive safety, trust, and connection. This perspective has helped me prioritize creating a supportive, respectful, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard and empowered. In my practice, I apply trauma-informed principles by emphasizing safety, transparency, and collaboration.
Strength-Based
My experience with a strengths-based approach has reinforced the importance of recognizing and building upon each client’s inherent abilities, resilience, and resources. In my practice, I use a strengths-based approach by collaborating with clients to identify their existing skills, supports, and past successes. I incorporate these strengths into goal-setting and problem-solving, helping clients draw on what has worked for them in the past while developing new strategies for growth.