I was always interested in understanding human behavior. I was intrigued with the idea of learning why people think and act the way they do. I also felt a deep desire to help people who were struggling in life. I initially started working on the administrative side of social services. I liked the idea of being responsible for system level that could impact large groups of individuals. During my work with clients I realized my skills were better suited for clinical therapy. Since making the switch to outpatient therapy I have been energized and fulfilled in a way I never knew was possible in a career.

In general, I work best with any client who shows up to sessions ready to authentically engage in the therapeutic process with me. My style is very collaborative. The more effort the client puts into therapy in and outside of sessions, the better resource I can be to them.

I get excited working with first time therapy clients or clients who had previous negative experiences with therapy. I like the concept of guiding them through the process and showing them how therapy can be helpful. I enjoy being able to dispel myths or assumptions people might have developed about therapists or therapy.

Talking to a therapist should be viewed as following up with any other type of healthcare provider. Therapy at times is viewed through a negative lens of stigma. Going to therapy does not mean there is something wrong with you or you are broken. Therapy can also be viewed as trying to improve upon areas that are going well in life.

I choose to practice at Thriveworks because they are a well-known and award winning clinical provider through the country. A national provider has valuable resources that some smaller practices are not capable of offering. Their commitment to treating clients with warmth and respect also aligns with my therapeutic values.

I’m inspired by the results I see with my clients even after a few sessions. Sometimes just having a therapist as an accountability person is enough to start initiating change. Seeing a shift from an unhealthy mindset to something more adaptable is inspirational. There are other situations where long-term work is needed and several checkpoints are put in place that measure gradual progress. The slow small improvements and the big changes at the end are all very gratifying to be a part of.

We will first spend some time getting to know each other as people. It’s not easy to tell someone you have never met all of your most vulnerable issues. I’m comfortable answering brief questions about myself if it helps the client settle into the first session. We can go at a pace that is comfortable to the client.

In the first session I want to start building a comfort level with the client. I want to understand who they are and what they are looking to do in therapy. We will end the first session with at least one shared goal we will both be working towards accomplishing.

I am easy-going and flexible to work with. I want to make the process of getting started easy on the client.

During my time off I play video games and board games; read science fiction/fantasy; exercise; hiking/camping; and spend time playing with my children