Who I Help

 

Making that first call feels like failing. You have "no time for therapy"--you're already spread thin. You've tried everything, but nothing seems to be working. And even when it does, it's only for a moment. You are ready to feel like you are thriving instead of merely surviving. ...It's a little terrifying to think about diving into the things weighing you down though, right? Ask yourself this (and be honest!): "Can I keep going like I am now? And if I do, what will that look like?" Change occurs when--despite the discomfort and not quite knowing how you'll get there--all you know is you can't keep doing what you're doing.

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I help folks across the lifespan who are ready to take that first step. (I would even argue that reading this is a first step!)

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Here's the thing--you don't have to do it alone. By having a shared conversation, we will both put the work in to help you reach your goals.

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I help individuals, couples, and families feel more present, fulfilled and engaged--both with themselves and the world around them.

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My Views on Therapy

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In general, my therapy room, whether in person or virtually, is a welcoming place. I aim to have clients feel calm, comfortable, and able to express themselves in a safe environment. 

 

As a therapist, I view trauma as a very specialized area of treatment. A person who has experienced trauma views the world in a different way. I believe that it’s important to be open and learn about that person’s experiences. As a therapist I allow that person to tell their story in their own way and in their own time. Trust is key and a person who has experienced trauma of any kind must feel heard, understood and supported as they walk their journey toward healing. 

 

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. As a therapist I help clients work through their emotions and find strategies that work for them to help get through periods in their life when anxiety and depression make it seem difficult to get through the day. I use a strength-based approach to help clients change their perspective or perceptions of situations to help them with their emotional regulation. 

 

Working with Transition Age Youth (ages 16-25) has also been a passion of mine for many years. This group of individuals are the bridge between children and adults. The struggles they face moving from childhood to adulthood are many. With all they are facing in the world trying to transition from high school to college amidst a pandemic, graduating from college and trying to find work, weddings postponed, and many other major life milestones are difficult for these young people. As a therapist, I enjoy working with these individuals and helping them work through the anxiety of facing the unknown, and figuring out how to navigate the next steps to take while dealing with the anxiety and depression that often comes with growing up and facing the world alone for the first time. I have also used a strength-based approach to help clients change their perspective or perceptions of situations to help them with their emotional regulation and decision-making process.

 

I have spent a great deal of time in my career working with children and adolescents. I have worked in the school and home setting with parents and children with Attention Deficit Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Depression and Anxiety. My work with parents has involved psychoeducation related to diagnoses and how to work with the children with their symptoms. With the children and adolescents, I have spent a great deal of time working with coping strategies, emotional regulation, age-appropriate psychoeducation related to diagnosis, and the basics of how to improve relationships at home. 

 

Bringing peace, self-love and self-confidence to individuals and families has been my passion for over 30 years. I love what I do! 

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How I Help

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I've been told by many clients that I really hear them. I believe in asking YOU what you'd like to gain from therapy and asking YOU about your goals--not just creating goals based on a diagnosis. I believe in taking the time to investigate what that diagnosis means to you and encouraging you to be an active part in treatment planning and creating interventions.

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I don't talk "at" you--I talk "with" you. I want you to be an active part of the discussion.

 

I use a combination of therapeutic approaches based on what may work best for you and what you are comfortable with. I primarily pull from components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Person-Centered, Mindfulness-Based, and Strength-Based. It's important to me that everything we do remains culturally sensitive and trauma focused as well.

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What Can You Expect?

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I believe in being "real" and informal, and making you feel comfortable. Laughter, making faces or noises are all acceptable ways to express emotions! I welcome you to bring coffee (or water or tea!) and sit wherever you feel comfortable in the room. It doesn't matter how old you are--you can color or draw, or just sit back and drink your coffee while we chat. I have a laid back style and it's important to me that my therapy room is a comfortable, relaxing environment.

 

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 When I'm not at Open Space CCW, you may also find me...

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Watching my kids play sports, reading a good book, or watching Netflix.

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