LISW, 25 years of experience
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges. With over 25 years of experience, I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and mindfulness-based approaches. I am passionate about empowering clients to rewrite their inner narratives. I blend evidence-based techniques with genuine empathy. Whether working in private practice, community settings, or telehealth platforms, I remain committed to fostering mental wellness and emotional strength. I believe healing begins when people are given a safe, non-judgmental, and welcoming platform to receive guidance, support, and the tools needed to draw upon their own personal strengths to overcome the barriers that stand between them and their quality of life.
The therapist will creates a safe, nonjudgmental space where the client can begin to share their story. This is a two-way interaction—clients also get a feel for whether the therapist is a good fit for them. Clients may feel nervous, relieved, or unsure. Therapists are trained to normalize these feelings and help clients feel comfortable. There’s no pressure to “have it all figured out.” Clients can speak freely, and therapists help guide the conversation toward meaningful goals.
Empathic Presence: I create a space where clients feel truly seen and heard. My ability to listen without judgment fosters deep trust and safety. Insightful Guidance: I help clients uncover patterns and beliefs that shape their emotional world, guiding them toward clarity and transformation. Evidence-Based Expertise: With a strong foundation in modalities like CBT, I offer structured, effective interventions tailored to each client’s needs. Adaptability: I meet clients where they are—whether they need gentle support or direct challenge—and adjust my approach with skill and intuition. Commitment to Growth: I continually evolve as a clinician, integrating new research, techniques, and cultural awareness into your practice.
I have worked extensively with clients facing anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, and life transitions, by creating a safe and collaborative space for healing and growth.
CBT will help identify problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and we will work together to challenge and change these patterns using techniques like thought logs, mood monitoring, guided discovery, relaxation, and mindfulness to promote being present and aware of thoughts. The primary goal is to teach a set of skills that can be used independently, in-between therapy sessions, and after therapy goals have been met to manage challenges,
ACT integrates six core processes: Acceptance (acknowledge and make space for difficult thoughts and feelings rather than trying to suppress or avoid them), Diffusion (separate thoughts from facts), Present Moment Contact (paying attention to the here and now), the Observing Self (noticing thoughts feelings and sensations without judgement), Values (explore what matters), and Committed Action (taking small steps and actions that align with your values).
DBT focuses on Mindfulness (observing your thoughts and feelings, and actions without labeling them as good or bad, right or wrong, focusing on one thing at a time and being effective by doing what works rather than being controlled by your emotions, Distress Tolerance( managing intense emotions by using skills like paced breathing and progressive muscle relation to calm your body and mind, Emotional Regulation (identify and describing emotions to lean to control and regulate strong emotions) and Interpersonal Effectiveness (strive for balance, build trust and be clear about your values in effort to stay true to self when interacting with others).
Grief therapy, also known as bereavement counseling, focuses on helping cope with the loss of a loved one or other significant loss by providing a supportive environment to express emotions and process grief. Grief therapy helps to understand and accept the reality of the loss, while developing coping mechanisms and strategies for managing the pain and challenges of grief.
Motivational Interviewing explores a deeper exploration of feelings, thoughts and experiences. MI is a client centered approach that helps individuals explore and resolve mixed feelings about changing, rather than confronting resistance. By using open-ended questions and reflective listening, the therapist will guide you to discover your own reasons and commitment to positive change.