I decided to become a counselor because I understand personally how meaningful the right support can be during difficult seasons of life. I have experienced my own struggles with anxiety and depression, and working with a counselor played an important role in helping me overcome those challenges. That experience showed me the difference it can make to have someone who listens, understands, and provides the right tools and support. My own diagnosis of ADHD also influenced the counselor I wanted to become. Learning about ADHD helped me better understand myself, including some of the challenges I had experienced throughout my life. That personal understanding inspired me to pursue additional training in ADHD so that I could better support others who may be struggling with similar challenges. I have a special place in my heart for individuals with ADHD because I understand how empowering it can be to finally recognize why certain things have been difficult and to learn strategies that work with, rather than against, the way your mind works. My previous career as a teacher also had a significant impact on my decision to enter the counseling profession. During my final year of teaching, I worked with students who were experiencing abuse and other difficult circumstances. I realized that although I could support them as their teacher, there were limits to what I could provide within that role. I wanted to be equipped to help people not only succeed academically, but also heal emotionally and develop the skills they needed to thrive in their lives. Ultimately, I became a counselor because I wanted to give others some of the same support that was given to me. I especially enjoy working with adolescents and women and helping people move beyond simply surviving difficult experiences toward building lives that feel peaceful, fulfilling, and meaningful. One of the most rewarding parts of this work is watching clients develop greater confidence, courage, self-esteem, and hope as they discover the tools and strengths they already possess and learn how to use them.

I work best with adolescents and adult women who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, or difficult life transitions. I especially enjoy working with clients who feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward but are looking for a safe and supportive space where they can be themselves without feeling judged. I have a special interest in working with individuals with ADHD, including those who may have spent years wondering why certain areas of life seem more difficult for them. I enjoy helping clients better understand how their minds work, recognize their strengths, develop practical strategies, and replace feelings of inadequacy with greater confidence and selfacceptance. My style also works well for clients who want more than someone to simply listen. While I believe strongly in providing empathy, validation, and a safe place to process difficult experiences, I also enjoy helping clients identify solutions and learn practical tools they can use outside of therapy. I tend to be warm, encouraging, down-to-earth, and collaborative, and I incorporate approaches such as CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, psychoeducation, mindfulness, grounding, and other strategies based on each client's individual needs. I particularly enjoy helping people rediscover hope and recognize that their current struggles do not have to define their future. My goal is to help clients develop healthier coping skills, stronger self-esteem, greater emotional stability, and the confidence and courage to create a life that feels more peaceful, fulfilling, and meaningful. For clients who desire it, I also offer Christian counseling and can integrate faith and biblical principles into the therapeutic process while respecting each person's individual beliefs, values, and preferences.

I wish every client knew that healing is not always a straight line, and you do not have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. Some days you may feel like you are making great progress, while other days may feel harder—and both can be part of the healing process. Therapy is a safe place to learn more about yourself, understand the “why” behind some of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and develop tools that work for you. My hope is that clients learn that their struggles do not have to define them. With support, patience, the right tools, and a willingness to keep going, it is possible to experience growth, greater confidence, peace, and a more fulfilling life.

In our first session, you can expect a warm, relaxed, and nonjudgmental space where we begin getting to know one another and talking about what brought you to therapy. I’ll ask questions about what you’ve been experiencing, how it has been affecting your life, what you’ve tried before, and what you hope will be different as a result of therapy. You never have to share more than you are ready to share. During the early stages of therapy, we’ll work together to identify your most important concerns and develop goals that feel meaningful and realistic for you. Depending on your needs, I may also use assessments to help us better understand symptoms related to anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, or other concerns. My approach is supportive and collaborative, but I also believe in giving you practical tools you can use outside of our sessions. We may explore coping strategies, thought patterns, emotional regulation, self-esteem, boundaries, organization, or other areas that are important to you. I want therapy to feel like something we are doing together—not something being done to you. Most importantly, you can expect me to meet you where you are. We will move at a pace that respects your comfort level while continuing to work toward greater understanding, healing, confidence, and peace in your life. For clients who desire it, Christian counseling can also be incorporated into the therapeutic process.

My practice is deeply influenced by empathy, compassion, faith, resilience, and my belief that people can grow beyond some of the most difficult seasons of their lives. Having personally experienced anxiety, depression, and ADHD, I understand how frustrating it can be to know that you want things to be different but not always know how to get there. I also know firsthand how meaningful it can be to have a counselor who provides a safe space, truly listens, and helps you discover tools that make a difference. My years as an educator also shaped the therapist I am today. Working with young people, including students facing difficult circumstances outside of the classroom, helped me recognize how strongly emotional well-being can affect every area of a person's life. It strengthened my desire to help adolescents and adults understand themselves, develop healthy coping skills, build confidence, and recognize strengths they may have difficulty seeing in themselves. My background in ministry has further shaped my values of compassion, hope, respect, and meeting people where they are. While I offer Christian counseling for clients who desire faith to be part of therapy, I respect each client's individual beliefs and values. Above all, I believe people deserve to feel heard rather than judged. I want my clients to know that they don't have to pretend to have everything together when they walk into a session with me. My role is to walk alongside them, help them better understand what they are experiencing, and provide support and practical tools as they work toward greater peace, confidence, healing, and a life that feels meaningful to them.

I believe therapy should be as individual as the person sitting in front of me. I take time to understand each client’s experiences, concerns, strengths, goals, personality, and preferences rather than assuming that the same approach will work for everyone. I draw from different therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), SolutionFocused Therapy, psychoeducation, mindfulness, grounding and emotional regulation strategies, and other evidence-based techniques based on what each client needs. For clients with ADHD, for example, I may incorporate more structure, practical strategies, organization tools, and psychoeducation to help them better understand how their brain works and find approaches that are realistic for their everyday lives. I also pay attention to how clients respond to therapy. If a particular strategy is not helpful, I don’t want a client to feel as though they have failed at therapy. Instead, we can talk about what isn’t working, make adjustments, and explore other approaches together. I welcome feedback because I view therapy as a collaborative process. Most importantly, I meet clients where they are and move at a pace that respects their readiness and comfort level while still helping them work toward meaningful change. When desired by the client, I can also incorporate Christian counseling and faithbased principles into our work. My goal is for each client to feel seen, understood, and supported while developing tools that genuinely fit their needs and their life.