New to Grow
I’m a licensed clinical social worker who works with adults of all gender identities to navigate challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use. I take a collaborative approach, meeting you where you are and helping you build practical tools to cope, make decisions, and reach your goals. I use evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Exposure Response Prevention, but always tailor my approach to what works best for you. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful, lasting change in your life.
In your first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and understanding your reasons for seeking therapy. I’ll ask questions about your background, current challenges, and goals so we can work together to create a plan that fits your needs. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, share your expectations, and get a sense of how we’ll work together. My goal is to make this a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and understood from the very beginning.
I bring a blend of clinical expertise and real-world experience, working with adults across a wide range of challenges including substance use, trauma, anxiety, depression, and everyday life stressors. My approach integrates multiple evidence-based methods—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure Response Prevention, and trauma-informed care—while remaining flexible and client-centered. I have experience supporting clients through both recovery and life transitions, helping them build practical skills, resilience, and confidence. Sessions focus on connecting insight to action, so clients leave with tools they can apply immediately to create meaningful, lasting change.
I am best positioned to serve adults who are motivated to make positive changes in their lives and are open to self-exploration. I work well with clients who are navigating substance use, anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, or other behavioral health concerns, especially those who are willing to engage in structured, evidence-based approaches like CBT, ERP, and motivational interviewing. I am particularly effective with clients who want practical strategies to manage symptoms, improve coping skills, and achieve concrete goals, whether that’s reducing substance use, managing anxiety, processing trauma, or improving overall well-being. My approach works best for individuals who value collaboration, are ready to reflect on their thoughts and behaviors, and are committed to taking actionable steps toward growth. Ultimately, I thrive in helping clients who want to move from awareness to meaningful, lasting change, providing guidance, support, and tools that empower them to achieve their therapy goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a structured, goal-oriented approach to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I use CBT to support individuals in identifying unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns, challenging those thoughts, and developing more balanced and realistic ways of thinking. In my practice, I work with a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, life stressors, and substance use. I help clients recognize triggers that contribute to emotional distress or maladaptive behaviors, and then support them in building healthier coping strategies. I incorporate techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and problem-solving, tailoring interventions to each client’s needs and level of readiness. I also use CBT to support relapse prevention for clients with substance use disorders, helping them identify high-risk situations, understand the thoughts that precede use, and develop more effective ways to respond. Across all populations, I focus on helping clients build insight, strengthen coping skills, and feel more in control of their responses. My approach is collaborative, practical, and flexible. I meet clients where they are and apply CBT in a way that is relevant to their daily lives, which helps improve engagement and supports meaningful, lasting change.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing as a client-centered approach to help individuals explore ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change. I focus on meeting clients where they are, recognizing that change is a process and that readiness can vary over time. In my work, I use open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summarizing to help clients feel heard and understood. I guide conversations in a way that allows clients to identify their own reasons for change rather than directing them or telling them what they “should” do. I pay close attention to change talk and work to reinforce it, helping clients build confidence in their ability to make meaningful changes. I also use motivational interviewing to help clients explore discrepancies between their current behaviors and their goals or values. This often helps increase insight and can naturally build motivation without creating resistance. When clients feel stuck or unsure, I support them in breaking things down into manageable steps and identifying realistic next moves. My approach is collaborative and nonjudgmental. I aim to create a space where clients feel respected and empowered, which helps build trust and increases the likelihood of engagement and follow-through
Trauma Informed Care
I use Trauma-Informed Care to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel understood and respected. I recognize that many people have experienced trauma, and I approach every interaction with awareness of how past experiences can affect thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In practice, I focus on building trust and establishing safety first, both physically and emotionally. I pay attention to signs of distress or triggers and respond in a way that avoids retraumatization. I collaborate with clients, giving them choice and control whenever possible, and validate their experiences rather than pathologizing them. I also integrate trauma-informed principles when planning interventions, considering how treatment approaches may impact clients differently depending on their history. This means being flexible, patient, and mindful of pacing, while helping clients develop coping skills, resilience, and a sense of empowerment. Overall, my goal is to support clients in a way that fosters safety, self-efficacy, and healing, recognizing trauma’s role without letting it define the person or their potential for growth.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
I use Exposure and Response Prevention to help clients gradually face situations, thoughts, or feelings that trigger anxiety or compulsive behaviors, while preventing the usual avoidance or safety behaviors. This allows clients to learn that distress can decrease naturally over time and that feared outcomes are often unlikely or manageable. In practice, I work collaboratively with clients to identify specific triggers or situations that provoke anxiety or compulsions. Together, we create a hierarchy of exposures, starting with less intense situations and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. I guide clients through exposures in a structured and supportive way, helping them tolerate discomfort without engaging in their usual compulsive responses. I also use ERP to help clients challenge distorted beliefs about threat or harm and to reinforce the learning that anxiety decreases with repeated, non-avoidant exposure. Between sessions, I encourage homework practice so clients can continue applying these strategies in real-life situations. My approach is careful and paced to match each client’s readiness, always emphasizing safety, collaboration, and empowerment. The goal is to reduce anxiety and compulsive behaviors while building confidence and self-efficacy.