(she/her)
New to Grow
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and one of the things I value most about this work is helping people understand themselves with more compassion and less judgment. So often, we spend years believing that something is wrong with us because we feel too much, shut down, overthink, pull away, become overwhelmed, or struggle to feel safe and connected. I don’t see those experiences as evidence that you are broken. I see them as places worth becoming curious about. I believe that people make sense. Even the parts of us that confuse us. Even the reactions we wish we could change. Even the ways we cope that may no longer be helping us—or may sometimes hurt us. There is a reason we learned to respond the way we do. Sometimes the ways we cope can become painful, overwhelming, or difficult to understand. Anxiety, depression, hopelessness, grief, intense emotions, withdrawal, conflict, or other patterns may feel like something that needs to be fixed or eliminated. I believe it can be more helpful to first become curious about what these experiences are communicating and what purpose they may once have served. I don't believe therapy is about turning you into someone else. It's about helping you come home to yourself—to understand what has shaped you, recognize what is no longer serving you, reconnect with what matters, and make room for the life you actually want. You don't have to have everything figured out before you come in. You don't even have to know exactly what's wrong. I work with individuals and couples experiencing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, hopelessness, grief, communication difficulties, relationship challenges, and difficult or confusing emotional experiences. . I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II).
You will lead the way in the initial conversation. I will ask about what brings you to therapy and why now? You can say as much or as little as you are comfortable with but I do need enough information to understand what's going on for you, and whether I am a good fit. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment to give you the space to talk about whatever is on your mind. I will explain the process of therapy in general as it is different for everyone. I will also explain some of the techniques that are available to you that you can think about trying when the time is right. .
My work is a collaboration between myself and my clients. I believe everyone is unique and therapy must meet those unique needs. I am interested in learning about who you are. I am well versed in finding solutions to behaviors that aren't working for you. I can be humorous, at times, direct and solution focused, and, at other times, an empathic listener. I have great skill in seeing life patterns and shining a light on them. I use a variety of techniques to help people move through feelings and behaviors. I am attachment based and trauma informed. The therapeutic relationship is crucial. Trust and open communication between the us is the starting point for our work. Therapy can be a place you can slow down, develop greater awareness, and experience something different. Through a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, we can work toward greater emotional regulation, self-understanding, connection, and a stronger sense of choice in how you respond to life's challenges.
My ideal client is someone who is interested in understanding what they are doing that is holding them back from getting what they want. I want to help clients grow to a comfortable place within themselves, and find peace and happiness in their lives. Transitions in parenting, career, relationships, community and purpose are all in the realm of discussion. Clients wanting to find better ways of coping and better outcomes are welcome.
This approach addresses the theory that past experiences with early childhood caregivers create a template for future relationships and our comfort level with getting close to others. I focus on helping you understand how childhood relationships are being acted out in the present and shape your current thoughts and feelings. My approach encourages self-reflection and insight, and helps to resolve internal conflicts and develop healthier emotional patterns.
I am a certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTPII). Trauma is not necessarily a specific event; it can be the environment you breathe(d). I can help clients move through troubling issues, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and emotional triggers. Many clients don't understand why they react the way they do. This often happens when someone has been "triggered." Feelings from the past get activated by a current situation. Clients believe their feelings are unfounded.
Also known as insight-oriented psychotherapy, this approach often works in conjunction with Attachment Theory to help individuals unravel, experience and understand their true, deep-rooted feelings in order to resolve them.