My Approach to Helping
I believe my clients are the experts on their own experiences, and I strive to create a therapeutic space where my clients can safely explore their pasts while learning skills to stay grounded in their present.
I am flexible and implement a variety of interventions depending on a client’s unique needs. Although therapy can get heavy, I strive to find lightness and humor where we can, and develop a genuine and positive connection with each of my clients.
I am, for lack of a better term, a huge nerd.
I love learning about psychological theory, cutting edge treatment modalities, empirically validated research, and the beauty and complexity of the human experience. While I have completed my graduate education, I know that there is always more to learn, and I am always looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills. A defining feature of my practice is that I invite my clients to learn along with me. I make sure to take time to explain relevant information to my clients, and learn from them in return.
Advocacy has always been essential to my therapy practice. I believe that therapy should be inclusive, empowering, and accessible. I am committed to providing culturally responsive services, and promoting social justice as a counselor and human being. I strive to create a safe space for clients to explore experiences of oppression and injustice. While my clients engage in therapy as individuals, I am deeply interested in the systems in which individuals live, and the impact of those systems on my clients mental health. I believe striving for healing in an unjust world is both radical and necessary.
My clinical specialization areas include working with adolescents and young adults who present with concerns related to trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, and attachment issues. Additionally, I excel in working with adolescents and their families to address severe behavioral challenges including Oppositional Defiant Disorder and chronic suicidal ideation. I am trained to provide EMDR Trauma Processing therapy, and I have a passion for helping individuals who have experienced trauma regain a sense of safety. I have experience working with children, adults, individuals, families and couples. A complete list of my areas of specialization and advanced trainings can be found below.
A few things that I want all of my future clients to know:
1. Therapy is a collaborative process. I will meet you where you are in your healing process, and stay present with you as we gain insight and find solutions together. We will find what actually works for YOU, not what you’ve been told “should” work for you.
2. Often, the negative behaviors that you are hoping to address in therapy were once adaptive and felt necessary for your survival. I will never shame you for what you have learned to do to survive, and invite you to discover a softness towards past versions of yourself that brought you to place of healing.
3. As a therapist I will provide a mix of validation and empowerment. Part of what we do will be reflective- processing your past experiences and building self-awareness and self-compassion. The other part of what we do will be active- bringing this newfound insight outside of our sessions and practicing coping skills that improve your quality of life.
Whatever brought you here, I want to validate the bravery it takes to seek therapy. This process will be heavy and challenging at times, and I hope at times also joyful, and I would be honored to be a part of your healing.