A judgment-free space for therapy is essential. I prioritize setting aside my own values, beliefs, and assumptions so that I can focus on seeing things from your perspective and from within your context. Basically, I practice empathy (putting myself in your shoes) in a really intentional way. Sitting with another human being who is conveying safety and care is a powerful form of healing.

The people in your life may intend to be objective and unbiased when you’re sharing with them about a problem. At the same time, these are people you have relationships with and that is always going to impact how they respond, what kind of advice they give, and how supportive they will be. It’s almost impossible for people to bracket their opinions and preferences if they’re not specially trained to do so. Talking to someone who is removed from your life, that has your best interest at heart, and has nothing to gain from any certain outcome is one of the best ways to work through our struggles. In therapy, I offer my thoughts and guidance but I ultimately support you in making the decisions that are best for you.

One of the many reasons I decided to become a therapist is because I’ve been there. I’ve struggled with anxiety. I’ve had to work through patterns of perfectionism and people-pleasing. I believe that this makes me uniquely qualified to help others who are still wading through these waters. Making changes is hard! But I know it’s possible because I’ve done it myself and now focus my professional work in specializing in these issues. I describe myself as “in recovery” from perfectionism and people-pleasing because it’s a life-long practice and journey. There is no magic cure or “fix.” True change comes from understanding yourself, understanding your past (especially your early relationships), and finding clarity around how these patterns have emerged and served you over time. Building this kind of insight and awareness allows you to practice doing things differently and to start creating new, healthier patterns in your life. So, I’ll bring my knowledge and experience, you bring your expertise on what it’s like to be you, and together we’ll create a plan to move you forward.

When most people think about therapy they envision getting to talk about their feelings and being validated endlessly by a compassionate therapist. While this is part of therapy, it’s definitely not all there is to it! One of the most valuable parts of therapy is working with someone who can hold up the metaphorical mirror, allowing you to build awareness of your own patterns and behaviors that keep you stuck. While it’s never fun to face up to our own shortcomings, it’s essential to true growth and change. My style as a therapist is to empathize, validate, and hold you in positive regard while also being honest and forthright about what I’m seeing.