I’ve always been someone others felt safe opening up to, long before I ever became a counselor. Early in my career as a high school English teacher in rural South Carolina, I realized my favorite part of the job wasn’t teaching literature — it was connecting one-on-one with students who felt like they didn’t belong or weren’t sure who they were. That experience inspired me to earn my Master’s in School Counseling, which eventually grew into a career in mental health. As I’ve learned more about my own late-diagnosed neurodivergence, I understand even more why people are drawn to that sense of safety and understanding. I still bring my love of education into therapy — I believe that understanding the science behind our emotions and behaviors can be a powerful step toward healing and self-compassion.

I work best with clients who are ready to take an active role in their healing and personal growth. While I often connect deeply with individuals who share aspects of my own experiences, progress in therapy comes from curiosity and collaboration rather than similarity. My approach is flexible and conversational — I don’t enter sessions with a rigid plan. Instead, I invite clients to bring real moments from their lives that align with their goals, and together we explore the thoughts, emotions, and patterns beneath them. I supplement our work with creative and practical tools that support insight and integration between sessions. I believe my clients are the experts in their own lives — my role is simply to help them uncover the parts of themselves that have been hidden or overlooked.

Healing isn’t a straight line — it’s more like a roller coaster or a steep hike. There are moments of progress, setbacks, and times when it feels like nothing is changing. But when you pause and look back, you realize how far you’ve come. Real healing happens through slow, steady, intentional steps. It’s also an ongoing process — not something we “finish.” As we move through different stages of life, new experiences can bring old wounds into focus, offering another chance to heal them from where we are now. Many people think they’ve “failed” when something resurfaces, but that’s actually a sign of growth — it means you’re ready to meet that part of yourself with new understanding and strength.

Our first session is all about your story — who you are, what’s shaped you, and what’s bringing you to therapy. I’ll ask a lot of questions to understand your experiences, but it’s completely okay if you’re not ready to answer everything right away. In our second session, we’ll review your treatment plan — our shared roadmap outlining your goals and the small, achievable steps to get there. I often use self-assessments and diagnostic screeners early on to create a baseline we can use to track progress and tailor your treatment. From there, therapy becomes an open conversation guided by your needs and growth. Homework may start as soon as the first session — sometimes reflective journaling, skill practice, or even finding one enjoyable activity to reconnect with joy. Healing doesn’t only happen in session; it’s an active, daily choice we’ll navigate together.

Authenticity and honesty are at the core of my work. I believe the more we live in alignment with who we truly are — tuning out the noise of others’ expectations and societal pressures — the more peace and joy we can experience. That often means making hard choices, but I don’t believe in “right” or “wrong” decisions, only the best one you could make with the information you had at the time. I see all emotions as healthy; what matters is how we express them. Anger, grief, and joy each have purpose — much like fire, they can warm us or burn if left unchecked. I also deeply value connection. Humans aren’t meant to exist in isolation, yet our fear of being alone can sometimes lead us to unhealthy relationships. Ultimately, I believe we always have choice — even when the options are hard — and reclaiming that truth is a powerful step toward healing.

I believe therapy should reflect real life — unstructured, fluid, and responsive. By allowing clients to take the lead, their sessions naturally become tailored to their unique needs. Some days we dive deep into difficult topics, and other days we focus on lighter conversations or creative exploration. I use approaches like art, mindfulness, and virtual sandtray to help uncover insights that words alone can’t always reach. I often remind clients that simply showing up matters — even on days when life feels calm or motivation is low. Sometimes the most meaningful breakthroughs happen during a playful conversation, a creative project, or even while sharing a song that speaks to your soul.