New to Grow
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and former comedian, and I bring both of those experiences into the therapy room. I believe meaningful work can happen without therapy feeling overly stiff or clinical. When appropriate, I use humor to help ease tension, build connection, and make difficult conversations feel more approachable. My style is straightforward, collaborative, and adaptable to what you need. Some people come to therapy with clear goals and want tools and direction, while others are simply looking for a safe, supportive space to talk through what’s on their mind. Both are completely valid, and we can move at a pace that feels right for you. I aim to create an environment where you can be honest, feel understood, and still be challenged in a way that leads to growth. Therapy doesn’t require you to have the right words or a perfect starting point—just a willingness to show up and begin.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, the focus is on getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk through what’s been going on, what you’d like help with, and any goals you may have. If you’re not sure where to start, that’s completely okay—I’ll help guide the conversation so we can make sense of things together. I’ll also ask some questions about your background, current stressors, and what you’ve tried in the past. This helps me get a clearer picture of what’s been working, what hasn’t, and how to best support you moving forward. There’s no pressure to share everything right away—we’ll go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. You can expect a conversational, relaxed environment where you don’t have to have the “right” answers. We may begin identifying patterns or discussing a few initial strategies, but the main goal of the first session is building a foundation and helping you feel comfortable. By the end of the session, we’ll talk about next steps, what working together could look like, and answer any questions you have so you can decide if this feels like a good fit.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to balance being approachable and relatable with being structured and results-oriented. I create a space where clients feel comfortable being themselves, while also helping them make meaningful progress—not just in session, but in their day-to-day lives. I’m skilled at identifying patterns quickly and helping clients understand what’s actually driving their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. From there, I focus on giving practical tools and strategies that feel realistic and usable, rather than overwhelming or overly complicated. Another strength is my ability to meet clients where they are. Some clients want a space to process and talk things through, while others want clear direction and actionable steps. I adapt my approach to fit each person, so therapy feels relevant and personalized rather than one-size-fits-all. My background also allows me to bring a unique energy into sessions. I’m direct when needed, supportive throughout, and able to use humor appropriately to ease tension and build connection. This often helps clients open up more quickly and feel more at ease, even when discussing difficult topics. Ultimately, I focus on helping clients gain clarity, build confidence, and create changes that actually stick.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with adolescents (13+) and adults who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward in their lives or relationships. Many of my clients are dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship challenges, and often feel like they’ve been carrying a lot on their own for a long time. I often work with individuals who are high-functioning on the outside but struggling internally—whether that looks like overthinking, burnout, difficulty managing emotions, or feeling disconnected from themselves or others. Some clients come in knowing exactly what they want to work on, while others just know that something isn’t working and need help figuring out where to start. I also work with couples who are experiencing communication breakdowns, recurring conflict, trust issues, or emotional distance. These couples are typically motivated to improve their relationship but may feel stuck in patterns they don’t know how to change. My approach is a good fit for clients who are open to learning practical tools, reflecting on patterns, and making gradual, meaningful changes. You don’t have to have everything figured out to start therapy—just a willingness to show up and begin the process.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as one of my primary treatment approaches to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my work, CBT is not just about identifying negative thinking—it’s about helping clients slow things down, recognize patterns, and learn how to respond differently in real-life situations. I have extensive experience using CBT with adolescents, adults, and couples dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma-related symptoms, and life transitions. I often help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns such as overthinking, self-criticism, or worst-case scenario thinking, and then work collaboratively to challenge and reframe those thoughts in a way that feels realistic and empowering—not forced or overly “positive.” In sessions, I take a practical and structured approach. We focus on building awareness, developing coping strategies, and applying skills outside of session so clients can see real progress in their daily lives. This may include thought tracking, behavioral activation, exposure to avoided situations, and problem-solving strategies tailored to each client’s needs. I also integrate CBT with other approaches to ensure it doesn’t feel rigid or one-size-fits-all. My goal is to make the work feel relevant, relatable, and sustainable—so clients leave sessions not just understanding their patterns, but actually knowing what to do differently.
Trauma Informed Care
I take a trauma-informed approach in my work to ensure that clients feel safe, respected, and in control of their healing process. This means recognizing how past experiences—whether single events or ongoing stress—can impact the way someone thinks, feels, and responds in the present. Rather than pushing clients to “go there” too quickly, I focus on building trust, increasing awareness, and helping clients develop the tools they need to feel grounded and stable first. I have experience working with clients experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and the lingering effects of trauma, including hypervigilance, emotional reactivity, and avoidance. In session, I help clients understand how their nervous system is responding to perceived threats and teach practical strategies to regulate those responses. This may include grounding techniques, identifying triggers, and building a sense of internal and external safety. My approach is collaborative and paced based on the client’s readiness. I prioritize helping clients feel more in control of their emotions and reactions before processing deeper experiences. The goal is not to retraumatize, but to help clients build resilience, reduce distress, and gradually reconnect with a sense of stability and confidence in their daily lives.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients move out of feeling stuck and into taking clear, practical steps toward change. This approach focuses less on analyzing problems in depth and more on identifying what is already working, what the client wants to be different, and how to start making progress right away. In my practice, I use SFBT to help clients set realistic goals, recognize their strengths, and build momentum through small, achievable changes. I often incorporate techniques such as scaling questions, identifying exceptions to problems, and envisioning a preferred future to help clients clarify direction and increase motivation. This approach is especially helpful for clients who feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, or unsure where to start. Rather than waiting for everything to feel “figured out,” we focus on taking actionable steps that create immediate movement and build confidence over time. I often integrate SFBT with other approaches like CBT to ensure that clients not only gain insight into their patterns but also leave sessions with a clear sense of what to do next. The goal is to create forward progress that feels realistic, sustainable, and meaningful to the client.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use a person-centered approach to create a space where clients feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgment. I believe that meaningful change starts with a strong therapeutic relationship, and I prioritize building trust so clients can show up as themselves without feeling like they have to filter or perform. In my work, this means actively listening, reflecting, and helping clients explore their thoughts and emotions at their own pace. Rather than telling clients what they “should” do, I work collaboratively to help them gain clarity, develop insight, and make decisions that align with their values and goals. I have experience working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Many clients come in feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of themselves, and this approach helps them reconnect with their own voice and build confidence in their ability to handle challenges. While I incorporate more structured approaches when helpful, the foundation of my work remains rooted in empathy, authenticity, and respect. My goal is to create an environment where clients feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to grow, and empowered to make lasting changes in their lives.
Couples Counseling
In couples therapy, I focus on helping partners improve communication, rebuild trust, and better understand the patterns that keep them feeling stuck. Many couples come in feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or caught in repeated arguments, and my role is to help slow those interactions down so each person can feel heard while also taking accountability for their part in the dynamic. I have experience working with couples navigating conflict, trust issues, infidelity, communication breakdowns, and differences in emotional needs or expectations. I often help couples identify cycles such as pursuing and withdrawing, defensiveness, or escalation patterns, and work with them to replace those with more effective ways of communicating and connecting. My approach is structured and goal-oriented while still creating space for each partner’s perspective. I incorporate techniques from Gottman-informed therapy, CBT, and attachment-based approaches to help couples build skills such as conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and repair after disagreements. We focus not just on what is going wrong, but on how to create more positive interactions and strengthen the relationship overall. I also work with couples on sensitive topics such as intimacy, boundaries, and rebuilding trust after betrayal, always at a pace that feels manageable for both partners. The goal is to help couples move from feeling like they are on opposite sides to working together as a team, with clearer communication, increased understanding, and a stronger sense of connection.