The same things that make life meaningful and beautiful, also make it messy and unbearable at times. Love and loss. Joy and heartbreak. Connection and isolation. Hope and despair. When life hits hard, people often come to therapy. Yet, asking for help can be even harder. I know because I’ve been on the other side of the couch. Nearly three decades ago, I found myself facing an unexpected chain of events that almost broke me. My life, as I knew it, was shattered. My inner peace gave way to inner turmoil and constant anxiety. I knew things needed to change; that I needed to change. I thought that therapy might help me but I was afraid to go; terrified that I might discover I couldn’t change anything about my situation — or worse — that I couldn’t change. I had very little hope. But I learned that a little is all you need to take that first step. I moved forward in spite of my fears and a very compassionate, patient, and wise therapist helped me to dig deep. My hope grew. My self-awareness grew. I gained understanding. I gained tools for mental wellness. Things changed. I changed. Therapy changed the course of my life.

Now, as a therapist, my approach with clients is to lead with compassion, while leaning in with curiosity. I truly want to understand your situation, and will support you in therapy through trauma-informed care, evidence based interventions, and unconditional positive regard. My work is largely influenced by Carl Rogers, a psychologist and the founder of person-centered therapy, as well as my personal core belief that all human beings were created for connection, and that behavior is largely motivated by our innate drive to connect — to love and be loved. I believe our behavior can tell us something, if we’re willing to look beneath the surface. Functional or dysfunctional, behavior serves a purpose. Pain is also a teacher. You learn from your pain when you get curious about it rather than avoid it or numb it. Therapy can be a sacred space for you to explore what your behavior is telling you and to gain insight into what purpose it’s serving. Therapy also provides hope that things can get better. Hope fuels healing. And if you’re feeling hopeless, I will hold hope for you until you can hold it yourself. I emphasize a whole-person approach to care, considering the full spectrum of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual factors that impact your overall health and well-being. Read more about my therapeutic orientation and style on the About page.

It’s my personal therapy experience that inspired me to become a therapist. If you’re considering therapy, finding the right fit is critical, and I hope the information you find on my website assists you in making a decision that is right for you.