New to Grow
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with fifteen years of clinical experience. I have been practicing in a rural community health center for the majority of my career as a therapist. Therefore, I am comfortable working with a wide variety of people. The majority of my current patients are dealing with challenges related to socioeconomic disadvantage, chronic physical health ailments along with mental health symptoms, and rural isolation. As a result, many of them are diagnosed with PTSD, an anxiety disorder, and/or depression. I am a collaborative therapist who works with each patient to identify goals and create an individually tailored treatment plan based on unique skills, strengths, and interests. It is also extremely important to me to create a safe, compassionate, non-judgmental environment where each patient is treated with unconditional positive regard at all times.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During our first session, I will listen attentively to your concerns, ideas, feelings, and therapy goals. I will also begin learning about your history and anything else you want to share with me. And, you will have an opportunity to ask me questions about my background, approach to therapy, and any other therapy-related questions. I know that there may be some fear or apprehension around participating in therapy and always provide a safe compassionate space based in unconditional positive regard.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strengths are the experience that comes with fifteen years of clinical practice, my consistency, and my ability to join people exactly where they are on their paths. I have a wide variety of treatment methods and therapy tools to share, and bring an indomitable passion and friendly curiosity to every session. Many of my patients have told me that they never expected to achieve as high a level of self-awareness as they have. I have also been told that I am successful at helping people feel comfortable "in their own skin".
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to join with almost anyone due to having a mindset based in unconditional positive regard for all human beings. I also bring a friendly curiosity to every session, and as a collaborative therapist, I appreciate learning from my patients and acquiring more knowledge and skills when needed to best serve them. I have a lot of experience with older adults, patients with chronic illnesses, and patients diagnosed with PTSD and/or anxiety. No matter who you are and what goals you would like to achieve, I look forward to meeting you and helping you create the life you desire.
Narrative
One of my favorite modalities is narrative therapy. I use this technique regularly after being trained in it about 13 years ago by one of my supervisors . This method allows patients to alter their relationship with their symptoms in a way that fosters a friendly curiosity and constructive dialoguing. It is particularly effective with patients who are artistic and/or imaginative by nature.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I have been a mindfulness practitioner for several decades and have found it to be incredibly beneficial at promoting self awareness, improved focus, and overall serenity. I teach mindfulness regularly in my practice and have found it to be one of the most effective modalities to bring relief to patients diagnosed with ADHD/ADD and/or PTSD.
Somatic
I have been trained in a wide variety of somatic techniques that help patients better understand the interconnectedness of the mind and body through experiential practice. I help patients build therapeutic toolkits that include, but are not limited to, a variety of breathing practices, interventions for grounding in the present moment, and activities that promote increased somatic recognition. This method is successful with virtually every type of patient, no matter the diagnosis.
Compassion Focused
One of the most important duties I have as a therapist is to create a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for every one of my patients. I succeed at this by practicing unconditional positive regard at all times. Practicing compassion and teaching diligent self care and compassion to all of my patients is foundational to my therapeutic approach.
Feminist
I am a lifelong feminist with a history of studying gender roles, gender identity, and social deconstructionism. I use my combined knowledge of sociology and psychology in the area of feminism to teach patients how the bigger picture has likely affected them and the ways in which mainstream societal values can cause intense cognitive dissonance, issues with self-esteem, internalized oppression, and mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and traumatic responses. I also teach patients strategies to combat these afflictions in order to create the lives they desire.