I became a counselor because I wanted to help people in their hardest moments. I spent time as a crisis counselor and nursing assistant and saw how much healing is possible when someone feels heard and supported. Those experiences, and my belief that human connection changes outcomes, pushed me to learn the skills to walk with people through trauma, anxiety, and life transitions.

I work best with clients who have a history of trauma and are beginning to notice how those past experiences still show up in their daily lives, relationships, and sense of self. I’m especially drawn to supporting people who want to understand how their early stories shaped them and are ready to explore new ways of coping, healing, and growing beyond what they’ve been through.

Therapy isn’t a quick fix but a collaborative process of small steps, practice, and self-compassion; progress often looks gradual and sometimes messy, but consistent effort and a safe therapeutic relationship make meaningful change possible.

In the first session we’ll focus on connection and safety: I’ll ask about what brought you in, your goals, your history, and any immediate concerns (including safety). We’ll clarify confidentiality, start building rapport, and make a practical plan for the next few sessions.

My own trauma and upbringing play a meaningful role in how I show up as a therapist — they taught me the importance of compassion, safety, and being truly heard. Working in an inpatient facility and in crisis counseling also shaped my practice; I saw firsthand how much it meant for people to simply have someone sit with them, listen without judgment, and offer steady support. Those experiences guide my values today: authenticity, empathy, and creating a space where clients feel seen, understood, and never alone in their healing.

I begin with a collaborative assessment to learn how you think, learn, and cope. From there I blend approaches — CBT for patterns and skills, motivational interviewing for ambivalence, trauma-informed techniques for safety and processing, and person-centered work for relational trust. I adapt pace, language, and tools to fit each client’s preferences, culture, and goals so therapy feels relevant and doable.