I believe the therapeutic relationship is a vital part of the counseling process. Meaningful growth often begins when we feel safe enough to be honest—with ourselves and with someone else. My goal is to create an environment where you feel heard, understood, respected, and accepted without judgment, while also receiving the appropriate challenge, encouragement, and support needed to create meaningful change.
My primary approach to counseling is Person-Centered Therapy. I believe every person comes to counseling with a unique story, set of experiences, relationships, strengths, values, and goals. Because of this, I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy.
I view counseling as a collaborative process. Rather than simply telling you what to do, I work alongside you to better understand what you are experiencing, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, recognize areas within your control, and determine what changes are meaningful and realistic for you.
I strive to balance compassion and acceptance with honesty and appropriate challenge. At times, growth requires looking at uncomfortable emotions, difficult experiences, unhealthy patterns, or beliefs that may no longer be serving us. My role is to provide a supportive environment where that work can happen at a pace that respects your individual needs.
While Person-Centered Therapy provides the foundation for my work, I integrate evidence-informed concepts and techniques from several therapeutic approaches based on each client's needs and treatment goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are deeply connected. CBT can help identify unhelpful thought patterns, explore how those thoughts influence emotions and behaviors, and develop healthier and more balanced ways of thinking and responding.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT-based skills can be helpful for learning how to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, remain present in difficult situations, improve interpersonal effectiveness, and respond thoughtfully rather than reacting solely from emotion.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
REBT helps us examine the beliefs and expectations we hold about ourselves, other people, and our circumstances. Together, we can identify irrational or rigid beliefs, challenge them, and develop healthier and more realistic perspectives.
Attachment Theory
Our earliest and most significant relationships can influence how we experience trust, connection, intimacy, conflict, and emotional safety. Attachment-based work can help clients better understand their relationship patterns, identify unmet needs and emotional responses, and develop healthier ways of connecting with others.
I believe it is important to look beyond symptoms alone. Anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, grief, or other emotional struggles often exist within a larger story.
Together, we may explore your relationships, past experiences, thought patterns, emotional responses, behaviors, boundaries, coping strategies, personal values, and—when desired—faith and spirituality. Understanding how these pieces connect can provide valuable insight into not only what you are experiencing, but also why certain patterns continue.
Ultimately, my goal is to help you develop greater insight into yourself, strengthen your ability to navigate difficult emotions and relationships, and build practical skills that extend beyond the counseling room. Counseling is not about becoming a perfect version of yourself. It is about gaining the understanding, confidence, tools, and support needed to move forward in healthier and more intentional ways.