Having been a therapist for over 19 years, I feel honored to be a part of each of my clients’ healing journeys. I respect and value all who demonstrate the strength to ask for help and allow me to hold space for them as they work through challenging times. I believe my clients are the specialists in their own lives…they are the experts in the driver’s seat. I am the passenger who can point things out and help them consider different ways to reroute when life is not flowing as desired, but ultimately, the client always has the choice in which direction to go. Because I view my clients as experts, I believe therapy should involve collaboration. I don’t have all the answers, and it is not my job to create my goals for someone else’s life. Rather, I assist in their identification of personal goals and facilitate the creation of a plan to achieve them. I don’t believe there is a such thing as ‘the perfect life’…I certainly don’t have one! Therapy is not for ‘crazy’ people, rather everyone can find value in it from time to time. We all have struggles and storms in our lives, and being able to support people through their own is truly rewarding to me.
When you begin a therapy relationship with me, we become a team. Our sessions are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and emotions, free from any judgment. I ask my clients to bring their authentic selves into session (don’t worry, I can help you to connect with that part!), and I provide a nurturing, safe environment for you to feel free to grow into your genuine self. I believe we are all capable of healing. It may take time, but if you are open to the process, I would be honored to walk alongside you.
Throughout my career, I have worked with many different populations in a variety of settings. Early in my career, I gained experience in an inpatient setting, as well as in a substance abuse residential program for individuals coming out of state correctional institutions. I also spent a year as a school counselor within the public school system. Ultimately, I transitioned into private practice, where I worked primarily with clients struggling with eating disorders in an outpatient/intensive outpatient environment.
I also worked extensively with military service members and their families during intense times in our recent military history. My own years as a U.S. Marine Corps spouse have given me the ability to empathize with the challenges of this life, and I am eager to support our military families who face similar hardships. In addition, I enjoy working with couples as they attempt to resolve conflict and reconnect with one another. Whether the relationship has drifted apart over the years, there was a significant violation of trust, or a couple is looking for assistance as they amicably separate, I work with the different ‘parts’ of the relationship to facilitate healing.
Over the past years, I faced my own unexpected medical challenges, and this provided me with a greater level of compassion for those experiencing chronic pain and illness. I am passionate about supporting those who may be struggling with medical symptoms and diagnoses that are interfering with their mental health, and I work to provide my clients with the tools they need to advocate for themselves for their own healthcare needs.
In addition to working in the mental health field, I also have been a personal fitness trainer. I personally have benefitted, both physically and mentally, from exercise, and I recognize how inter-connected these aspects of our health are. I view wellness from a holistic lens, and I support my clients as they work to achieve greater health and functioning.
I consider myself to be eclectic in my therapeutic approach. I realize that we are all individuals and have different needs and preferences. There is no one size fits all approach to therapy. However, first and foremost, my goal is to develop rapport with my clients. This is so important for clients, so they can feel safe being vulnerable. Some of the theoretical orientations that I pull from are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Emotion Focused Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I also am a fan of the Gottman Method and Imago Relationship Therapy. I realize all these orientations may sound daunting and overwhelming, but I also try to help my clients feel comfortable with humor. Laughter has been proven to have tremendous benefits on one’s physical and mental health, and it truly can be healing.
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