Licensed Mental Health Counselor

I am a clinician at our Milford clinic who provides therapy services!

My ideal client would have body image concerns and a negative relationship with food. They need a counselor they can be open and honest with about their negative body image, thoughts, and emotions. Their goals would include engaging in CBT and DBT interventions. CBT would help with reframing the body image and thoughts, and DBT would help with emotion regulation and distress tolerance around food situations

How I can help:

1. Build a Trusting Relationship: Create a safe, nonjudgmental space where they feel comfortable expressing their feelings. Show empathy and validation—acknowledge their struggles without reinforcing negative beliefs. Encourage self-compassion instead of self-criticism.

2. Understand Their Triggers & Beliefs: Explore what contributed to their body image and food struggles (e.g., past experiences, social media, family influences). Identify negative thought patterns (e.g., “I have to be thin to be worthy”) and help them challenge these beliefs.

3. Shift Their Mindset on Food & Body Image: Help them reconnect with hunger and fullness cues. Promote body neutrality—instead of focusing on appearance, focus on functionality and self-care (e.g., “My body allows me to move, hug loved ones, and experience life”). Teach cognitive reframing to replace harmful thoughts with more balanced perspectives.

4. Promote Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Help them develop non-food-related coping strategies for stress, anxiety, or emotions (e.g., journaling, movement, mindfulness).

6. Refer to a Specialist if Needed: If their struggles are severe (e.g., potential eating disorders, body dysmorphia), refer them to a licensed therapist or dietitian specializing in these issues.

I want my clients to know I am easy to talk to because I enter the therapeutic relationship with an empathic and nonjudgmental approach. I like to use humor or sarcasm when it is appropriate to lighten the process and build rapport with my clients. I want my clients to know that I can support them if they have no support. I have a background in eating disorders and co-occurring disorders, and I am eager to gain more experience in other mental health areas. I want to be a light source for clients who only see/experience darkness.