What I can promise is that I will meet you where you’re at. What do I mean by that? I’ve been working in the field of community mental health for nine years. In this time, I’ve encountered clients across the age, gender, and health spectra, and with that, a wide array of presenting problems. I might not be a specialist in the specific issue(s) that you’re experiencing at present, but I likely have assisted someone before you, or one of their loved ones, with coping and moving through it. I consider you, the client, to be the expert and pilot of your own life – my role as the therapist is to help you identify, process, and then, ideally, mitigate the barriers between you and the realization and achievement of your personal goals and dreams – almost like a co-pilot. I will show you how to leverage what you already have going, and fill the gaps in places where there’s still a need. I believe that therapy, at its most effective, can take the form of whatever a client wants or needs it to be. It’s a place where things become possible. It can be both a learning and practice space, as well as a sanctuary. It can be a place where traumatic emotional burdens get processed and healed. It can also be a place where difficult changes become accepted. I encourage clients to be experimental in the therapeutic space since it’s a rare opportunity to experience a relationship that offers unconditional positive regard, a non-judgmental stance, confidentiality, and assistance with accessing the resources that are currently missing from your life. For attending to unmet emotional needs, I draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment-based psychodynamic therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I also function as a case manager, who can assist you with accessing different types of support, whether it be food and shelter, letters, or referrals to higher levels of care. I value the healing potential of kindness, humor, and mind-expansion, and I am passionate and enthusiastic about my clients’ care.

My background is in social work, meaning that my approach to therapy is holistic by design. Rather than the individualistic perspective of mental pathology (that is to say: genes + symptoms = diagnosis), my practice is grounded in systemic thinking (problems in the environment lead to the creation of new problems, and aggravate genetic problems, in the individual, resulting in the symptoms we associate with the DSM-V.) I adhere to a gentle and relational approach, in order to make myself more accessible to those who are ambivalent or anxious about seeking treatment. A brief therapeutic consultation with me will result in some valuable information about what you want – or don’t want – in a therapist. You might even give it a session or two, and in the event of it not feeling like the right match for you, I’d be happy to point you in the direction of a provider who better suits your needs. Thankfully, I am situated within a network that offers access to a wide variety of high quality mental healthcare options. Let’s work together to help you find the support you’re looking for.

The ideal client for me is an adult or transitional-aged youth experiencing problems associated with mental illness. They might be isolated, struggling in their relationships, and experiencing low self-worth due to depression and anxiety; or experiencing problems with work and money due to ADHD. They might be questioning their sexuality or gender and needing support around that, or experiencing rejection or fear of rejection when coming out. They might be struggling with disordered eating or substance use and want to take their first step towards recovery. They might not be on good terms with the people around them, but they are open to changing that. Generally, they’d want to improve their quality of life by becoming aware and then freeing themselves of maladaptive patterns of thinking and behavior.