In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Beginning therapy is a brave, hopeful step toward understanding yourself, feeling more confident emotionally, and creating meaningful change in your life. It’s completely normal to feel nervous, curious, or even unsure about what to expect in your first session — and I want you to know you’re not alone. My goal is to make that first session feel safe, supportive, and collaborative from the moment we connect. Your first session with me is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, respect, and genuine understanding. In therapy, the connection between client and therapist is foundational — it’s what allows real growth and healing to happen. That’s why our initial session focuses less on solving deep-seated problems right away and more on establishing a warm, non-judgmental space where you feel heard and understood. We will start with introductions, where I’ll invite you to share a bit about who you are, what brings you to therapy, and what you hope to gain from this work together. There is no right or wrong way to describe your experiences — whether you have specific concerns or are simply exploring therapy for the first time, your perspective matters and will guide the conversation. Common topics clients mention include stress, anxiety, life transitions, uncertainty around motherhood or identity, emotional patterns, relationships, and coping challenges. A key part of the first session is exploring what brought you here and what you hope to experience through therapy. You might talk about recent stressors, long-standing worries, emotional patterns you’d like to change, or goals you’re not even sure how to articulate yet. That’s okay. My role is to help you feel comfortable expressing these thoughts at your own pace while listening carefully for what’s most important to you. It’s also a time to begin noticing your strengths and resources. You’ve taken a significant step by seeking support — that alone speaks to your courage, resilience, and desire for growth. I’ll reflect back what I hear, validate your experiences, and help you begin to see patterns and possibilities you might not have noticed on your own. This initial exploration sets the stage for deeper work over time. Though therapy is a structured process, the first session won’t feel like an interrogation. Instead, it’s more like a guided conversation where questions are gentle and designed to build understanding, not pressure you. You don’t have to have all the answers, and you don’t need to share anything you’re not ready to share. Many clients feel a mix of relief and vulnerability in that first hour — and that mix is normal. Emotions sometimes show up strongly when we finally give ourselves space to express them. You might notice that some parts of the conversation feel easy, while others feel more difficult or emotional. That’s part of the process — and it’s okay. Therapy isn’t about perfection or having it all figured out. It’s about exploring what’s happening for you in a compassionate, curious way. I’ll be alongside you, offering support, clarity, and space to understand your experiences more deeply. Importantly, the first session is also your chance to assess how this therapeutic relationship feels for you. You might notice right away whether you feel comfortable, heard, and understood — or you might feel unsure. Both reactions are valid. Therapy is a journey, and figuring out whether you feel safe engaging with someone is part of that journey. If you have questions about my style, approach, or experience working with issues like stress, life transitions, or maternal mental health, you’re encouraged to ask. Your comfort with the therapist is key to progress. I’ll also help set initial goals with you. These aren’t rigid objectives; they are guiding intentions. Some clients want to learn coping skills, others want clarity around life decisions, and many come simply hoping to feel less overwhelmed day-to-day. We’ll listen closely to what resonates with you and begin shaping a plan for how future sessions can support those intentions. At the end of the first session, you’ll likely have a better sense of what therapy feels like, what working together could look like, and what you might want to focus on next. We’ll also talk about scheduling — whether it feels right to meet weekly, biweekly, or at another rhythm that fits your life. And if, for any reason, you feel this isn’t the right fit, that’s okay too — you deserve a therapist with whom you feel genuinely comfortable and supported. Leaving your first session, many clients feel a combination of relief, hope, and reflection. Some feel lighter simply having spoken openly; others feel motivated to continue exploring. It’s also common to feel tired afterward — emotional work takes energy, and that’s okay. This is all part of starting something meaningful and transformative. Therapy is a collaborative process, and it begins with you simply showing up with what you have right now. You don’t need to be “ready” or “fixed” — you just need to be you. And I’m here to support you every step of the way.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a space where clients feel genuinely safe, seen, and understood. Many of the women I work with come to therapy carrying emotional weight they have held for a long time—often silently. From the very beginning, my priority is to establish a relationship built on trust, warmth, and respect, where you feel comfortable showing up exactly as you are, without pressure to perform, explain, or “have it all together.” I bring both professional expertise and real-life understanding into the therapy room. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with advanced training, I approach therapy through a relational and systemic lens, meaning I consider not only what you are experiencing internally but also how your relationships, life roles, family dynamics, and past experiences shape the present. At the same time, as a mother and a woman who understands the complexity of modern life, I bring empathy and authenticity that many clients find grounding and reassuring. Another key strength of my work is my ability to listen deeply and thoughtfully. I pay close attention to patterns, emotional themes, and unspoken experiences, helping clients gain insight into themselves in ways that feel both clarifying and empowering. Often, clients share that therapy helps them connect dots they hadn’t noticed before, allowing them to better understand why they feel the way they do and how they can respond differently moving forward. My approach is collaborative rather than directive. I do not believe in telling clients what they “should” do or pushing them toward solutions that don’t align with their values or readiness. Instead, I work alongside you to explore your goals, reflect on your experiences, and develop clarity at a pace that feels safe and sustainable. This approach allows change to feel authentic rather than forced and helps clients build confidence in their own decision-making. I also place a strong emphasis on self-compassion and emotional resilience. Many women come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by self-criticism, guilt, or unrealistic expectations—especially around motherhood, relationships, and personal success. A significant part of my work involves helping clients soften toward themselves, challenge internal pressures, and develop healthier, more supportive inner narratives. Over time, this often leads to reduced anxiety, improved emotional regulation, and a greater sense of balance and self-trust. Another strength of my therapeutic style is my ability to adapt to each client’s unique needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach in therapy. Some clients benefit from structured reflection and insight-building, while others need space to process emotions, slow down, and feel supported. I am intentional about meeting clients where they are and adjusting our work as their needs evolve over time. I am particularly skilled in working with women navigating transitions such as pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, early motherhood, identity shifts, and periods of uncertainty or change. These transitions can bring up complex emotions—joy, grief, anxiety, doubt, and hope all at once. I help clients hold these experiences with compassion while finding clarity, stability, and a stronger connection to themselves. Clients often describe my style as calm, grounding, and validating, while also gently challenging when appropriate. I believe growth happens when clients feel supported enough to explore discomfort without feeling overwhelmed or judged. My role is to walk alongside you, offering perspective, reflection, and encouragement as you navigate your journey. Ultimately, what stands out most about my work is my belief in each client’s capacity for growth and change. Therapy is not about fixing what is broken—it is about understanding, healing, and strengthening what already exists within you. My greatest strength is helping clients reconnect with themselves, feel more confident in who they are, and move through life with greater clarity, resilience, and intention.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with women who are navigating meaningful life transitions, emotional overwhelm, or periods of self-reflection and personal growth. Many of my clients are thoughtful, capable individuals who, despite their strengths, feel stuck, exhausted, or uncertain about the next chapter of their lives. If you find yourself thinking, “I should be able to handle this, but I’m struggling,” you are not alone—and you may be exactly the kind of person I am best positioned to support. I am especially well suited to work with women in adulthood, including moms, moms-to-be, and women considering motherhood, who are experiencing stress, anxiety, emotional overload, or identity shifts. Many women I support feel pulled in multiple directions, balancing relationships, careers, family responsibilities, and personal expectations, often while placing their own needs last. Therapy becomes a space where you can slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself in a meaningful way. Some clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally drained, or burned out. Others are navigating pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, fertility challenges, or grief following a miscarriage. Many are experiencing identity shifts, questioning their purpose, or feeling disconnected from who they once were. Some struggle with boundaries, self-doubt, or the pressure to meet others’ expectations. Others cannot point to one specific issue but sense that something feels off beneath the surface. Therapy offers a supportive space to explore these experiences with curiosity and compassion rather than judgment. My ideal clients value a warm, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship and appreciate thoughtful conversation over quick fixes. They are interested in gaining insight into emotional patterns, developing self-compassion, and building resilience in a way that feels sustainable and authentic. Many come to therapy unsure of their goals, and that is completely okay. Together, we take time to explore what feels heavy, what matters most to you, and what kind of change you are hoping for—whether that is feeling calmer, more confident, more connected, or more grounded in yourself. I am a good fit for women who are open to reflection, growth, and collaboration. Therapy with me is not about being told what to do; it is about working together to better understand your experiences, identify patterns, and move toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you. I believe healing happens through safety, connection, and curiosity, not pressure or perfection. At the same time, therapy is not one-size-fits-all. If you are seeking a highly directive, solution-only approach without space for reflection, my style may not be the best fit. My work is best suited for those who are willing to gently explore their inner world and engage in the therapeutic process over time. If you are a woman who is ready to prioritize herself, explore her emotional well-being, and navigate life’s transitions with support and intention, I would be honored to work with you. Therapy can be a powerful space for clarity, growth, and healing, and you do not have to do it alone.