New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker holding a Master of Social Work degree and a Substance Use Disorders & Addictions Certificate from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, earned in May 2020. I am certified in Multi-Modal Attachment Therapy (M-MAT) Level III and Therapeutic Martial Arts Level II. I have education in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. I bring expertise in helping individuals navigate anxiety, ADHD, stress, and relationship issues. I am intentional about implementing a compassionate, client- and family-centered approach, tailoring care to the unique needs of children, adolescents, adults, and families. Through personal and professional channels, I have experience navigating the ever-changing and non-traditional experiences of military-affiliated individuals and families. With unconditional support and warm accountability, I foster a safe and consistent environment that emphasizes each client’s strengths and encourages personal growth. My work focuses on improving emotional regulation, building practical coping skills, and boosting self-esteem; empowering clients to achieve lasting positive change and cultivate stronger, more meaningful relationships. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy attending live performances, visiting amusement parks, engaging in arts and crafts, watching horror movies and true crime shows, spending time outdoors, savoring sushi, playing games, and training and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Your initial appointment is an opportunity for you and me to connect and establish open communication. I will invite you to share your background and how you hope to benefit from services. If you're still working out your goals, don't worry —often, that's part of the process.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am flexible, thorough, open-minded, and thoughtful with the services I provide. Depending on your goals, it can be beneficial to include members of your support system or family in sessions. When I work with children and teens, I'm passionate about working closely with their parents/caregivers and even siblings! I strongly believe in psychoeducation (teaching clients about their diagnosis and treatment methods) from a strengths-based, solution-focused perspective. You will understand your diagnosis, be able to discuss how it affects you, and what you can do to manage your symptoms in a way that reduces shame and anxiety. Our time together will deepen your understanding of the connection between your mind and body, enhancing your sense of self, your healthy communication, and your ability to advocate for yourself; moving you further into the life you want to live.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I’m thankful you’re here; I’m sending you lots of love and warmth as you explore my profile, and I’m wishing you all the best on your mental health journey. My approach to therapy is shaped by my values, including those rooted in Japanese culture that emphasize the significance of creating harmony of the mind, body, and soul, as well as a sense of life purpose. I engage with my clients from a humanistic approach, grounded in the belief that each individual is shaped by their unique experiences and possesses inherent strengths. Our time together will encourage self-exploration, self-acceptance, and personal growth. My role is to support you with identifying areas of personal responsibility and natural strengths. Together, we’ll find balance, build emotional regulation, strengthen coping strategies, and enhance your self-confidence—helping you cultivate healthy, lasting change and stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
Attachment-based
Multi-Modal Attachment Therapy Level III Certification: An integrated whole-brain approach to attachment injuries in children and families. A structured attachment-based therapy with the primary focus on attachment trauma through adult/child interactions, integrating both play and talk therapies.
Family Therapy
I have years of experience taking an integrative approach to addressing high-conflict household issues by creatively incorporating members of the client's family and support system.
Psychoeducation
I strongly believe in psychoeducation (teaching clients about their diagnosis and treatment methods) from a strengths-based, solution-focused perspective. You will understand your diagnosis, be able to discuss how it affects you, and what you can do to manage your symptoms in a way that reduces shame and anxiety.
Strength-Based
I engage with my clients from a humanistic approach, grounded in the belief that each individual is shaped by their unique experiences and possesses inherent strengths. My goal will be to ensure my clients identify and use their strengths to support their well-being and sustain motivation through challenges.
Eclectic
I will implement an approach that incorporates principles and components of: ***CBT: understanding the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors ***DBT: teaches skills to manage intense emotions, cope with challenging situations, and improve relationships ***Experiential Activity-Based Interventions: expressive tools and activities—such as role-playing or acting, props, arts and crafts, music, animal care, guided imagery, or various forms of recreation—are used to allow clients to re-enact and re-experience emotional situations from their past or their relationships. ***Motivational Interviewing: a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication that empowers people to change by drawing out their own reasons and resources. ***Existential Dialogue: a type of psychotherapy that helps people deal with the fundamental concerns of life, such as freedom, death, choice, isolation, and meaning. ***Interpersonal: psychotherapy that treats depression and other mental health conditions by focusing on your relationships and social interactions. ***Mind Body Approach: clients learn techniques to develop better awareness and regulation of thoughts, sensations, and feelings. ***Psychodynamic: therapy that explores unconscious processes and past experiences to understand current behaviors and emotions. ***Exposure Response Prevention: refers to practicing confronting the thoughts, images, objects, and situations that make you anxious & provoke obsessions.