LCSW, 10 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. My background includes working with justice-involved adults and high-acuity clients, which has taught me the importance of meeting people exactly where they are—with compassion, respect, and a clear plan forward. In our work together, I draw from evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing. What that means in practice is that we’ll identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build skills to manage overwhelming emotions, and strengthen your ability to create healthier relationships with yourself and others. My style is straightforward, supportive, and collaborative. I’ll encourage you to set meaningful goals, while also making space to process the deeper experiences that have shaped your story. I believe therapy works best when it feels both safe and practical—you should leave sessions with tools you can use right away, and also feel seen and understood in the bigger picture of your life. If you’re looking for a therapist who is down-to-earth, honest, and committed to helping you make real changes, I’d be honored to work with you.
In our first session, my focus is on creating a space where you feel safe, respected, and heard. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’ve already tried, and what you’d like to see change. I’ll ask some background questions—about your history, current stressors, and supports—so I can understand the bigger picture of your life. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or the impact of justice involvement, we’ll approach your goals together in a way that is practical and non-judgmental. I understand that many people come to therapy feeling misunderstood or discouraged by past experiences, and I want this to feel different: structured, collaborative, and focused on what matters most to you. You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need to bring yourself as you are. I’ll share how I typically work, answer your questions, and begin building a plan that balances immediate tools with deeper work on the patterns that keep you stuck. Clients often leave the first session feeling both understood and equipped with a clear starting point. Above all, you can expect honesty, respect, and a partnership that supports your growth—wherever you’re starting from.
Clients often describe my style as direct but compassionate, casual but authentic, and challenging but supportive. I believe therapy should feel like a real conversation—honest, engaging, and grounded in respect—while also providing structure and clear direction. You can expect me to listen closely, reflect back what I hear, and also challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck. What sets my approach apart is the balance between validation and action. I’ll hold space for your story, while also equipping you with practical tools you can use right away. I integrate methods like CBT, DBT, Schema Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, tailoring each session to what works best for your goals. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, or the challenges of justice involvement, I bring both expertise and genuine care. My clients often say they feel understood, respected, and encouraged to step into lasting change. Therapy with me isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about building resilience, breaking cycles, and creating a life that feels more purposeful and balanced. If you’re looking for a therapist who will both support and challenge you, while keeping the process collaborative and down-to-earth, my approach may be a great fit.
I work best with clients who are ready to create change, even if they aren’t sure where to begin. Many of the people I see struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship concerns, while others are navigating transitions such as new roles, grief, recovery, or rebuilding after setbacks. I am particularly skilled in supporting justice-involved adults and individuals who have felt overlooked or misunderstood in past treatment. My background in the justice system has given me a deep understanding of how stress, stigma, and systemic barriers affect people’s ability to heal and move forward. Whether you are currently involved in the system, re-entering the community, or working to break long-standing patterns, therapy can provide a safe and structured space to build stability and resilience. My ideal clients are curious about themselves and open to trying new strategies, even when change feels uncomfortable. They want to break free from cycles of stress, self-sabotage, or overwhelming emotions. They value a therapist who is straightforward yet compassionate—someone who will both validate their story and challenge them to grow. If you’re looking for practical skills you can use right away, along with deeper work to address the root causes of distress, I would be honored to walk alongside you. Together, we can build tools for stability, stronger relationships, and a life that feels more grounded and purposeful.
I use CBT to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that fuel difficult emotions or behaviors. Together, we track recurring thoughts, examine the evidence for and against them, and practice developing more balanced perspectives. I often integrate behavioral experiments, thought records, and skill-building exercises so clients can test new strategies in real time. This approach works well for anxiety, depression, and everyday stress management.
I apply DBT principles to help clients strengthen both emotional regulation and relationship skills. Sessions often focus on mindfulness practices, distress tolerance strategies, emotion labeling, and communication skills that reduce conflict and support healthier boundaries. I balance acceptance and change—validating a client’s lived experience while also coaching concrete ways to build stability. This approach is especially effective for clients managing intense emotions, impulsivity, or patterns of self-sabotage.
I use Schema Therapy to explore the deeper “life themes” or patterns that often trace back to unmet needs in childhood or past experiences. We work together to identify schemas (e.g., abandonment, mistrust, perfectionism) and understand how they shape current relationships and behaviors. I help clients practice healthier coping modes and gradually meet those unmet needs in adaptive ways, which reduces recurring cycles of distress. This approach is particularly helpful for long-standing patterns and personality-based struggles.
I use MI to help clients resolve ambivalence and move toward meaningful change at their own pace. Rather than pushing a specific agenda, I ask open questions, reflect values, and highlight discrepancies between goals and current behavior. This empowers clients to strengthen their own motivation for change and follow through with action plans.
I integrate ACT to help clients clarify values and commit to actions that align with them, even when painful thoughts or emotions show up. We use mindfulness, acceptance, and defusion skills to loosen the grip of unhelpful thoughts while staying connected to what matters most.