LCSW, 15 years of experience
I’m a licensed mental health professional with over 20 years of experience helping adults navigate life’s challenges. My background includes work with the U.S. Air Force, VA Medical Centers, and community organizations, where I’ve provided therapy, led programs, and supported diverse populations. I bring warmth, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit to my work, and I strive to create a space where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. I offer an engaging approach grounded in evidence-based therapies like ACT, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing. I’ve facilitated both individual and group therapy, helping clients manage anxiety, anger, trauma, and life transitions. My goal is to help you build resilience, reconnect with your values, and take meaningful steps toward a more fulfilling life. Whether you're feeling stuck or ready for change, I’m here to support you in creating a life that feels more authentic and empowered.
In our first session, my goal is to get to know you; not just your challenges, but also your strengths, values, and what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk about what’s been going on in your life, what you’d like to work on, and what you hope to get out of our time together. I’ll ask some questions to better understand your background, but there’s no pressure to share everything at once. You set the pace. This session is also a chance for you to get a feel for how I work. I’ll explain my approach, answer any questions you have, and make sure you feel comfortable moving forward. Whether you’re feeling nervous, uncertain, or ready to dive in, I’ll meet you where you are with warmth, curiosity, and respect. By the end of our first meeting, we’ll begin shaping a plan that feels right for you. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.
What makes me unique is the depth and breadth of my experience, combined with a warm, grounded approach that helps clients feel truly seen and supported. I’ve spent over 20 years working in diverse settings including the U.S. Air Force, VA Medical Centers, and community organizations which has given me a rich understanding of how people cope, adapt, and grow through complex life challenges. I bring a strong clinical foundation in evidence-based therapies like ACT, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing, and I’ve facilitated both individual and group therapy across a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, trauma, anger, and issues around self-worth. My training has been intensive and ongoing, including consultation-based ACT work and specialized courses led by leaders in the field like Dr. Steven Hayes. But beyond credentials, what truly helps me be effective is my ability to connect. I show up with warmth, curiosity, and respect. I value clients who are equally invested in the process. I’m thoughtful about how I structure sessions, and I appreciate when clients engage with home practice and reflection, because that’s where real change happens. My work is guided by the belief that therapy should be both practical and transformative. I help clients build insight, shift patterns, and reconnect with what matters most so they can live with more clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom.
My ideal clients are adults who are ready to engage meaningfully in therapy and who want to better understand themselves and make lasting changes. I work best with individuals who are curious, open to reflection, and committed to the process, even when it’s challenging. Because I offer virtual services, I focus on clients who value the flexibility of online therapy and are comfortable showing up with intention. I especially appreciate clients who respect the time and energy I invest in creating a thoughtful, supportive space and who come prepared, having reflected on their home practice or session themes. That kind of engagement helps us make the most of our time together and deepens the impact of the work. If you're someone who wants to move beyond just coping and toward living with more clarity, purpose, and emotional freedom, we might be a great fit.
I’ve been using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for about eight years, and it’s the approach I feel most connected to. ACT helps people learn how to handle difficult thoughts and feelings in a new way—by making space for them instead of getting stuck or trying to fight them. At the same time, it helps clarify what really matters to you, so you can take steps toward a more meaningful life. My training includes intensive courses through the VA with ongoing consultation, plus additional workshops and refreshers including one led by Dr. Steven Hayes, who developed ACT. This has helped me use ACT flexibly with people facing anxiety, trauma, depression, and life transitions. In our work together, I’ll use ACT to help you notice patterns that keep you stuck, build skills to respond differently, and move toward the kind of life you want to live even when things feel hard. It’s not about fixing you it’s about helping you show up fully for your life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was one of the first approaches I trained in, starting back in 2010, and it’s been a consistent part of my work ever since. I’ve facilitated both individual brief CBT sessions and group therapy programs, using this approach to help people manage anxiety, anger, self-worth, and emotional distress. CBT focuses on how our thoughts influence our feelings and actions. In therapy, we’ll work together to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and build practical tools to respond in ways that feel more balanced and effective. Whether in one-on-one sessions or group settings, I use CBT to help clients gain insight, develop coping strategies, and move toward meaningful change.