About

In my experience working with clients, and in my personal life, I have witnessed the life-changing power of naming, validating, and processing our emotions. People often believe their emotions are a weakness or an obstacle to productivity, when in fact they’re appropriate responses to a world that is not designed to care for their individual health and happiness. These emotions are messages to help clients respond to their environment, but amidst life’s demands, it is extremely difficult to find time to explore and understand them. I am motivated to work as a therapist because I want to help client’s give themselves permission to feel deeply and adjust their responses to the world accordingly. I am energized by helping my clients discover new ways of interpreting their feelings, find meaning in their life, and set goals that bring them closer to their values. It is such a privilege to witness my client’s personal journeys, and I am so excited to walk alongside them to whatever comes next. After working in business for several years, it became clear to me that the most rewarding part of my career were the moments when I got to really sit down and get to know my clients, their motivations, and their goals. Following a long period of soul-searching (and hard work put in with my own therapist), I decided to pursue a career in social work, which better aligned with my personal values of service and connection. After working in several medical settings which allowed me to provide both case management and therapeutic services, I discovered that I was most energized by the emotional support I could provide my clients.

My experience has primarily been working with adults and older adults who are coping with anxiety, depression, complex grief, loss (of any kind), end-of-life planning, major life transitions, caregiving stress, and chronic or terminal illness. I am passionate about facilitating empathic conversations which address the social stigma and fear around death and dying, and helping clients identify what it means to have “a good death.” I am also interested in working with young adult (18+) and adult clients, particularly those facing “quarter-life crises,” relationship issues, and difficulty with substance use. In sessions, I collaborate with clients to set goals, explore feelings and experiences, and gain a better understanding of themselves and their lives. I believe that therapy provides a dedicated time for self-exploration, where individuals can explore what they want from their lives, completely free from judgment. It is an opportunity for individuals to share their pain with someone who will help them experience it safely. Finally, therapy allows clients to learn and practice coping skills, and ultimately help them take action to move closer to their truest selves. Coming out of therapy, I hope my clients emerge with hope for their present and future, a renewed understanding of their unique strengths and talents, and a better understanding of the forces that impact their lives.

I take a curious, compassionate, client-centered approach with my clients, allowing time for clients to build trust in the therapeutic relationship. In alignment with systems and person-in-environment theory utilized in social work, it is important for me to gain a holistic understanding of the client’s view of their experiences and the environmental, social, and cultural factors that influence them. Once the client feels ready, we will use this information and a present-focused lens to identify goals and treatment plans that best address their needs. Essentially, we will discuss the client’s present and future, identifying which steps they can take to live the life most meaningful to them. In session, I utilize a variety of treatment modalities to inform my practice, including traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. At the end of the day, I want my clients to know that “you are the best thing that has ever happened to you.” Each client is the expert of their own experience, and each has the resilience and strengths to build a life as unique and wonderful as they are. I hope to act as a source of unconditional support, compassion, authenticity, and open-mindedness as they explore the possibilities.