(he/him)
New to Grow
I have been in practice in Kalamazoo for over 15 years, working with children, teens, and adults navigating challenges such as trauma, stress, and family or parenting concerns. I am trained in trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, and play therapy. In addition to my clinical work, I am also a school social worker and a father of eight, which gives me a deep understanding of the challenges families and children face every day. I take a person-centered approach, which means I focus on creating a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard and respected. Together, we will identify your goals and move at a pace that feels right for you.
During our first session, I focus on getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. We will talk through your background, current concerns, and what you hope to get out of our work together. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask me questions so we can build comfort and trust from the start. By the end of the session, we will begin to outline clear, realistic goals to guide our work together, while still allowing flexibility as your needs evolve.
With over 15 years of experience, I bring a steady and practical approach to therapy. I have worked with clients from many different backgrounds and use what I’ve learned to help guide each person in a way that fits their unique situation. I believe there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. I continue to learn from my clients every day, which helps me stay flexible, open, and responsive to your needs. I focus on building on your strengths while also helping you navigate challenges with tools and strategies that are proven to be effective.
I work best with children, teens, and adults who are looking for a supportive and structured approach to managing challenges such as trauma, behavioral concerns, anxiety, and family or parenting stress. In addition, my expertise in working with trauma and OCD fits well with clients who are experiencing those difficulties or have a family member they are supporting at this time.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have been training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the past two years and find that it complements treatments for Anxiety, OCD, and Trauma quite well.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I've had training in CBT for years and find it to be the backbone of other treatment methods - learning how our thoughts and feelings interact can create awareness and space for clients to begin to make changes.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
I have multiple years experience using Exposure and Response Prevention and is my go to treatment approach for working with clients experiencing OCD, and have found it can also be beneficial in working with trauma and anxiety.