What it’s like to be in therapy with me
Many people reach a point in their lives when they feel stuck. Friends and family who once offered support may no longer be able to help, or simply don’t know how. During these times, it can be beneficial to have a different kind of relationship, one where you can share honestly without feeling judged or misunderstood, and where you are asked questions that enhance insight and spur positive change.
Welcome to therapy!
As a therapist, I am welcoming, compassionate, and curious. I strive to create a trusting relationship with each of my clients, so they can feel free to inhabit all parts of themselves. I know that therapy can be hard, so my goal is to help you feel safe and accepted while embarking on a journey that will naturally involve some discomfort. While some parts of therapy may feel particularly intense, there will be times we laugh, and times we marvel at your progress.
I work with young adults and adults navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and life transitions, and I particularly enjoy working with couples. I am also drawn to people who are trying therapy for the first time and may feel nervous about it; if you are someone who needs a gentle, patient space to ease into the process, you will feel at home here.
How I approach therapy
My approach to therapy is relational and person-centered. This means that I believe that forming a strong relationship is foundational to our work together. It also means that I recognize that you have a unique story; the way I work with you will be based on your personality, specific challenges, needs, and strengths.
During therapy sessions, I won’t be sitting back offering minimal feedback; instead, we’ll engage in ongoing dialogue. Although you will do most of the talking, I’ll ask questions to help you get to the root of current challenges. I’ll help you uncover patterns and connections that can deepen your insight. If I sense we are avoiding an area important to your goals, I will gently point it out so we can explore it together. Alongside this relational work, I offer concrete tools and structure for clients who find it helpful, ensuring our work together feels actionable and grounded.
Depending on what you want to focus on, I will draw on my knowledge of the clinical modalities in which I have been trained, including, but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. I have found EFT to be particularly powerful in my work with couples, and I have seen tremendous growth and progress with the people I work with.
Of course, the ultimate goal of our work is for you to develop your own internal “therapist voice” that will guide you even after therapy has ended. Thus, therapy will require your consistent engagement and your willingness to do some hard work. My job is to support you as you do this work, helping you to feel contained, safe, and seen.
Education and Professional Background
- Bachelor of Arts, Major in English Literature, Minor in Psychology- George Washington University
- Master of Social Work with specialization in Integrated Behavioral Health with Youth- New York University
Clinical Training and Experience
My journey to becoming a therapist began when I volunteered for a sexual assault crisis hotline toward the end of my time in college. Humbled by the profound pain and strength of the individuals I served, I learned to support people during times of crisis and developed a keen understanding of how traumatic experiences can undermine people’s ability to feel safe, powerful, and loved.
During my graduate program at New York University, I spent several months working with the Student Affairs office at one of NYU’s colleges, providing emotional support to young adults transitioning to college and facing associated emotional wellness challenges. I also interned at a day treatment program for younger adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges.
After graduate school, I worked for three years as a clinical case manager, serving people with behavioral health challenges who were heavily impacted by financial disenfranchisement and systemic racism.
I began providing therapy in 2020 at a community health agency, where my clients were adults experiencing trauma conditions, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, grief, parenting stress, and difficulties in relationships. I feel privileged to have gotten to know my clients so well and to have been trusted to bear witness to their pain, progress, and successes.
Prior to joining Take Root, I provided therapy through an online counseling platform, helping young adults navigate life transitions, increase self-esteem, examine their relationships with their families of origin, question and explore their identities, and learn new techniques and tools to manage depression, anxiety, and stress. This work has been rewarding and inspiring — I continue to be passionate about helping young people as they grapple with such an exciting and bewildering time!
I consider myself lucky to have worked with diverse populations throughout my clinical work, including people from a wide variety of cultural and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, abilities, and worldviews. To work with a diversity of clients requires that I continuously examine my privilege and implicit biases, and learn about realities I have not experienced firsthand.
To inform my clinical work, I have completed trainings in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. I have also undergone training in assessing and responding to suicide risk. Most recently, my training has been focused on providing affirmative therapy to people in the LGBTQ+ communities, people who don’t identify with traditional gender categories, and people in alternative relationships. I have also developed a strong focus on couples work, drawing on my training in Emotionally Focused Therapy to help partners deepen their connection, navigate conflict, and rebuild trust. Working with couples is an area where I have found meaningful success and one I genuinely enjoy and value.
A bit more about me
My decision to become a therapist emerged from my experiences as a therapy client. As I transitioned out of adolescence, I went through a period of deep depression. It is not an overstatement to say that being in therapy transformed me; I emerged hopeful, confident, and grounded, equipped with new tools to maintain my progress. Not only was I profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be in therapy, I also wanted to support and facilitate change for others in the way my therapist had done for me.
I balance the intensity of my work with a fun and vibrant personal life. I am also a mother, which has added a whole new dimension to both my life and my work. Currently, I’m learning how to play the guitar, training my cat to do circus tricks (starting with the modest task of spinning in a circle), and getting outdoors as much as possible. Spending time with the people I love gives my life shape and color. I’m grateful to my partner, family, and friends for supporting me and the work I do.