My father has been in recovery for over two decades. I watched him get clean and stay clean. Seeing that made me want to work in service of supporting individuals who wanted a better life. What I have learned is that sometimes people don't even know they want or deserve a better life. Our lives are so complex and what's better than to have someone supporting us through our journeys. I get to bare witness to this process with clients. It has been an honor to watch people roll up their sleeves and push pass their fears. There is so much strength in that.

I wish all clients knew that we are all on a mission to live a more meaningful life and we are lost. The real journey is trusting that it will get better. No one has all the answers. I also wish clients understood that there are no absolute truths in most situations. Allowing the space to acknowledge multiple truths can be so freeing and transformational.

I am inspired by people who are not afraid to be their most authentic selves. Whatever that means. Those people are brave to me because they have chosen themselves over the thoughts and opinions of others. They are not living a perfectly crafted life or a curated life but a life filled with the good, bad, and the mess. I love and admire that level of authenticity.

Clients can expect that I am going to take the time to learn about who they are. But not just in the first session but throughout the experience. I also know that it takes time and so I like to focus on creating a safe environment where clients feel they can trust this process. I hope that what clients take from the first session is that I am committed to being a partner in their journey to healing.

I think it is important to set some rules and boundaries for the therapeutic space. Those boundaries and rules will help to cultivate a space that is conducive for growth. l I also want each client to express what they are looking for in a therapist. It is important that clients are vocal about what their therapeutic needs are so we can work together to achieve them.

I strive to be supportive, caring, empathetic, a good listener, and direct. This space does not serve either of us if we can't be honest. So I am honest and I am direct but it will always be in service of the goals you want to achieve.

I like to read and spend time with my family and friends. I love the summer and nice weather so whenever I can get outside, I take full advantage of those opportunities. I am a mom so I enjoy spending time with him. I also like a healthy balance of tv so reality shows and all the streaming apps that have lots of different shows to watch is something I enjoy as well. I also am a big podcast listener! Crime podcasts, podcasts that are all about pop culture, podcasts about history, podcasts about Pittsburgh. I have listened to them all!!

I believe in working to do what is right even when it is difficult. I feel full when I experience enlightenment. There are so many ways to learn and I appreciate having good conversations, reading a good book, watching a documentary, listening to a good podcast, and experiencing new and factual information.