Me

Just like you, I am many things: a daughter, a mother, a spouse, a friend, a clinical psychologist, a bookworm, a struggling gardener. I have hobbies and opinions. I am good at some things and not so good at other things. I have my own therapist because I believe anyone could benefit from therapy. I’m a big believer in the role of humor in giving us moments of respite from anxiety. I’m a recovering perfectionist. I may not have all the answers, but I can join you on the road as a fellow traveler. I feel passionate about helping clients be transformed by their suffering. 

I’m a Christian. I understand the unique perspective that growing up in the church provides — the good bits and the bad bits. I can appreciate the tension that many people feel about Christianity being a beautiful comfort and also a difficult influence. I affirm all people as they were created to be. I am honored to connect with individuals of various backgrounds, cultures, religions, sexual orientation, and gender expression. Please note that while I enjoy incorporating spirituality into sessions, I also enjoy working with clients for whom spirituality is not important. Your faith will be as pertinent to our sessions as you wish. 

My areas of expertise include working with anxiety disorders (such as phobias, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and OCD) as well as religious trauma and other forms of complex trauma that leaves a person feeling a sense of vague emptiness or unease about life. Like most therapists, I use a blend of theoretical approaches. I love geeking out on the science behind the theories and the interventions. I believe that understanding how our body, brain, and spirit work together is helpful in healing. I like to talk with my clients about neuroplasticity and the mind-body connection. My predominant theoretical approaches are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Behavioral Therapy, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for phobias and OCD. I have a tender spot for those of you suffering with scrupulosity (religious-based OCD) and enjoy walking beside you to a place of peace.

I realize it is intimidating to start with a new therapist. I’ve been in that same position myself! Here are a few ways some clients have described me in the past:

• “Surprisingly normal” 
• “Approachable”
• “Funny” 
• “Good at seeing the big picture”
• “A wizard at reframing” 
• “Uses the word ‘journey’ a lot but it’s not a deal breaker”