New to Grow
I work with clients who are thoughtful, introspective, and motivated to better understand themselves but may feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, self-criticism, or uncertainty about their direction in life. Many people I work with are navigating questions related to identity, relationships, purpose, or major life transitions. My goal is to help clients gain clarity about the patterns influencing their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so they can move forward with greater confidence and intention. My approach integrates evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These approaches help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, develop emotional regulation skills, and build practical strategies that improve daily functioning. I also incorporate narrative and reflective techniques that allow clients to explore the personal stories and experiences that shape how they see themselves and the choices they make. An important part of my work involves helping clients move beyond insight and into meaningful action. Therapy often includes identifying automatic thought patterns, practicing grounding and emotional regulation strategies, and experimenting with new behaviors that align with a client’s values and long-term goals. I also use structured check-ins and evidence-based tools to track progress over time. By regularly reviewing mood patterns, emotional changes, and skill development, clients are able to see measurable progress while staying focused on what matters most to them. Clients often describe my approach as collaborative, thoughtful, and practical. Together, we create a space where clients can reflect deeply on their experiences while also developing the tools needed to navigate challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful change in their lives.
The first session will be mostly an opportunity to get to know each other since the relationship between a client and a therapist is the foundation for any work that we would do together. I will tell you more about my approach from a therapy standpoint and give you the chance to ask any questions about me or my therapy approach to ensure you feel comfortable with our work together. There will also be some administrative tasks that we have to complete, such as the counselor disclosure form, but that will be secondary. In the end, you, as the client, will have to be comfortable in working with me as your therapist. If both of us find we can work together, next steps can be discussed. And if either one of us, client or therapist, feels we would not be a good fit, than the time spent together is was just as well spent.
What stands out most about my therapeutic approach is the way it integrates structured psychological skill-building with deeper exploration of identity, meaning, and personal narrative, while also incorporating measurable data to track progress over time. Many clients come to therapy with a general sense that something in their life is not working, but they may struggle to identify the specific patterns that maintain distress. My work focuses on helping clients examine the connections between thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and the personal narratives they hold about themselves. By making these patterns visible and measurable, therapy becomes both a reflective and data-informed process that supports meaningful change. A central feature of my work is the integration of several evidence-based therapeutic models. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides the foundation for identifying automatic thoughts, examining cognitive distortions, and developing behavioral experiments that test new ways of responding to difficult situations. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients build psychological flexibility and reconnect with personal values, allowing them to move toward meaningful life directions even when difficult emotions are present. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) contributes practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. In addition to these structured approaches, narrative perspectives play an important role in how I work with clients. Many individuals arrive in therapy carrying deeply ingrained beliefs about who they are and what they are capable of. These beliefs are often shaped by past experiences, family dynamics, cultural expectations, and personal setbacks. Therapy becomes a space to examine these narratives carefully and respectfully. Clients often begin to see how certain internal stories influence their behavior and decision-making, and they gain the opportunity to gradually revise those narratives in ways that support greater agency and self-respect. What further distinguishes my approach is the use of ongoing measurement and data-informed feedback throughout the therapeutic process. Sessions frequently begin with structured mood check-ins that allow both the client and therapist to observe changes in emotional state across sessions. Clients also complete standardized measures such as the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), which helps track shifts in emotional patte
The clients who are best suited to my approach are individuals who are motivated to reflect on their internal experiences and are interested in actively engaging in the therapeutic process. I work particularly well with clients who want to better understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and personal narratives, and who are open to learning practical tools that support long-term personal growth. My approach tends to be most effective for individuals who appreciate both structured skill-building and deeper exploration of meaning, identity, and life direction. Many of the clients who benefit most from my work are navigating patterns of self-criticism, uncertainty about identity, or difficulty aligning their behaviors with their values. They may struggle with persistent negative self-evaluation, anxiety related to performance or expectations, or feelings of being “stuck” in unhelpful cognitive and emotional patterns. I often work with individuals who are thoughtful and introspective but find themselves caught in cycles of rumination, overanalysis, or avoidance when facing difficult emotions or decisions. My practice is also well suited for clients experiencing life transitions or periods of reevaluation. This may include changes in career direction, shifts in relationships, evolving personal values, or a broader search for purpose and meaning. Many clients seek support in clarifying what matters most to them and developing practical strategies to move toward those priorities in a consistent and sustainable way. I tend to work best with clients who are open to combining reflection with action. Sessions often include identifying automatic thought patterns, practicing emotional regulation skills, and experimenting with new behaviors that align more closely with personal values. Clients who are curious about their internal processes and willing to practice skills between sessions often find this approach particularly helpful in creating meaningful and lasting change.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a structured way to explore how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact. Clients learn to recognize automatic thoughts, evaluate their accuracy, and experiment with new behavioral responses. These skills are integrated with broader therapeutic work focused on values, emotional regulation, and personal meaning.