About Me
I am a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with 20+ years of experience in behavioral health and healthcare. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma-related concerns, phobias and avoidance, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.
I believe good therapy begins with taking time to understand what you are experiencing, rather than simply assigning a label or assuming one approach works for everyone. My background includes advanced training in clinical assessment, diagnosis, and trauma-informed practice, which has shaped how I approach treatment. I am particularly interested in understanding the patterns contributing to a person's concerns so that therapy can be tailored to what they actually need.
Clients often describe me as calm, warm, and direct. I bring curiosity, compassion, and a sense of humor to my work, and I'm willing to ask questions and gently challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck.
What is your approach to therapy?My approach is collaborative, individualized, and grounded in evidence-based practice. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), mindfulness-based approaches, psychoeducation, and other interventions based on the client's needs and goals.
I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Similar symptoms can develop or persist for very different reasons, so I take time to understand the whole picture before deciding how to approach treatment. Together, we'll identify patterns that may be contributing to your concerns, develop practical strategies for responding differently, and regularly evaluate whether therapy is helping you move toward the changes that matter to you.
Therapy with me is supportive, but it is also active. I listen, ask questions, offer observations, teach skills when they may be useful, and help you practice approaching difficult thoughts, emotions, and situations in new ways.
What can clients expect from their first session with you?Our first session is an opportunity for us to begin understanding what brings you to therapy and what you would like to change. I'll ask about what you've been experiencing, relevant history, past treatment experiences, current stressors, strengths, and how your concerns affect your daily life.
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what's wrong or what you want to work on. Part of my role is to help you make sense of what you're experiencing and identify where we might begin. You'll also have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of what it feels like to work together.
By the end of our initial sessions, my goal is for us to have a clearer understanding of your concerns, what you hope to accomplish in therapy, and an initial plan for moving forward.