Get to know me

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

If you are thinking about scheduling your first therapy session, I want to begin by saying this—you are already doing something incredibly important. Reaching out is often the hardest step. Whether this is your first time in therapy or you have been before, I understand that opening up to someone new can feel vulnerable, uncertain, or even intimidating. That is okay. My goal in our first session is to help you feel as safe, supported, and respected as possible, exactly where you are. Our first meeting is not about fixing everything right away. It is about getting to know each other, setting the tone for a strong therapeutic relationship, and giving you space to share what brings you here. You do not need to prepare a perfect story or know exactly what to say. I will guide the conversation gently, asking thoughtful questions and giving you room to reflect and speak in your own time. Typically, I will start by reviewing the basic structure of therapy. We will go over informed consent, confidentiality, and any questions you may have about the process. I will explain how I approach therapy, what to expect in future sessions, and how your goals will help shape the work we do together. If you are unsure what those goals are right now, that is completely okay. We will figure them out together. From there, I will invite you to start sharing a bit about your life. You can talk about what has been heavy lately, what led you to seek therapy, or what you are hoping will feel different in the future. Some clients come in ready to talk about very specific issues. Others begin with “I do not know where to start.” Both are completely welcome. You may notice that I ask about thoughts, emotions, relationships, past experiences, and your sense of identity or purpose. This is not to overwhelm you. It is to help me understand you as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms. The more I understand your story, the better I can support you. There is no pressure in our first session to go deep into anything you are not ready for. You are always in control of what you share and when. If there is something too painful or unclear to talk about at first, we can take our time. I respect your boundaries and your pace. Throughout the session, I will listen closely, not just to what is being said but to how it feels to say it. My job is not to judge or give you a quick solution. It is to meet you with honesty, compassion, and clarity so that you feel seen and supported as you begi

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I try to meet every person who walks into the room with respect, honesty, and care. One of the things I have found most meaningful in this work is creating a space where people feel safe enough to be real, especially when life feels confusing, heavy, or overwhelming. I do my best to listen closely, to sit with people in their pain without rushing to fix it, and to help them find clarity and direction at a pace that feels right for them. My approach is practical and flexible. I draw from evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma Focused CBT, but I also trust the value of slowing down and just being present. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a conversation rather than a formula. Whether someone is facing anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, or simply trying to make sense of who they are, I try to offer steady support and honest reflection along the way. What I have heard from clients is that they appreciate the calm and direct way I work and the lack of pressure to be anything other than themselves. I am not here to judge or define who someone is. I am here to understand, to support growth, and to walk with people through what they are carrying. At the end of the day, my greatest strength may be the simple belief that healing is possible and that no one is too far gone to begin again.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

The truth is, I don’t believe there’s any one type of person I’m here to serve. If you’re struggling and willing to reach out, you are already someone I care deeply about helping. My ideal client isn’t defined by a diagnosis or background, they are defined by a simple, courageous truth, they’re ready for something to change, even if they don’t know where to begin. I work well with people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. You might be carrying anxiety that never seems to shut off, depression that clouds everything you do, or trauma that shows up in your relationships and daily life in ways you don’t fully understand. Maybe you’ve experienced a loss, a life transition, a crisis of identity, or simply a quiet sense that something in you feels broken or unfinished. Some clients come in with very clear goals, they want to reduce their panic attacks, improve their marriage, or stop falling into the same self-sabotaging patterns. Others just know they’re tired. Tired of pretending, tired of holding it all together, tired of fighting the same internal battles. If that’s you, I see you. And I want you to know that therapy doesn’t require perfection, it only requires honesty and a willingness to begin. I have a deep respect for people who have been through hard things and are still standing. You may not feel strong right now, but the fact that you’re considering therapy says a lot about your strength. I believe in meeting people where they are, with empathy, not judgment. I don’t care how messy your story feels, how many mistakes you think you’ve made, or how long you’ve been carrying it. I care about understanding your experience and walking with you through it. My clients come from all walks of life, young adults searching for their identity, parents trying to hold their families together, veterans working through painful memories, partners navigating trust issues, people who’ve been deeply hurt by others, and those who have hurt themselves or others and are ready to face that truth and grow from it. I especially value working with people who have never felt fully understood. Maybe you’ve been through therapy before and it didn’t click. Maybe you’ve felt dismissed, labeled, or misunderstood. I take the time to listen fully and carefully because I don’t believe in surface level solutions. I want to understand why things feel the way they do, and help you make sense of your own inner world in a way that finally feels grounding and real. You don’t h