What should I expect out of our first session?
In the first session, we will talk about what brought you to therapy and what you are hoping to get out of it. I will also ask questions about your broader background and experiences to gain a fuller picture of your personality, values, and context. You will have an opportunity to ask questions about my therapeutic approach, clinical experience, the therapeutic process, or other relevant information that would help you as we start this work together.
How do you describe your therapeutic approach?
My therapeutic approach is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a method for identifying and addressing the thought patterns and behaviors that negatively affect our mental health. I consider what you are hoping to achieve in therapy and develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your goals. Over the course of our time together, you will learn how to regulate your emotions, improve communication skills, set appropriate boundaries, and implement healthy coping mechanisms, all of which will help you better manage current life stressors and those that come up after therapy ends.
While my therapy methods are pragmatic and solutions-based, I approach my client relationships with warmth, compassion, and a sense of humor. I believe an authentic human connection and genuine client-therapist collaboration form the best basis for real empowerment and lasting change.
What do you specialize in?
I have extensive training and experience treating a variety of mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), intimate partner violence, relationship issues, work-related stress, and adjustment disorders.
What’s something your clients might be surprised to learn about you?
I am a volunteer and advocate for mental health with the following two organizations:
- Medical Reserve Corps, a multidisciplinary group of health professionals deployed in the event of a city, state, or national disaster or health emergency
- Hope for the Day, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide outreach and mental health education in a proactive approach to suicide prevention
What is a self-care ritual you practice?
My top self-care practices are listening to music (alternative rock, alternative metal, punk), reading (thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction), spending time with friends and family, and daily yoga and mindfulness practice.