“I think the best gift we can give one another is our time and undivided attention, and I feel most fulfilled when connecting with my clients.”
What was your path to becoming a therapist?
I have always known that I wanted to work directly with others, creating meaningful change in the world. I think the best gift we can give one another is our time and undivided attention, and I feel most fulfilled when connecting with my clients. My first encounter in therapy came when I was an undergrad student at Florida State University, where I volunteered as a crisis/suicide prevention counselor for a multi-county hotline. I was drawn to this work because it meant I could help others feel less alone in the world and because I think it is imperative to our survival that we feel connected to others. Since then, I have worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nonprofit community agencies, group homes, and now my own private practice. I have experience in addiction, suicide prevention, victim advocacy, and severe trauma. I feel that my varied experience has shaped me into the therapist I am today and has allowed me to work with clients from many walks of life.
What should someone know about working with you?
My approach to therapy is open and non-directive, meaning that you are empowered to determine what we focus on. I believe that therapy is only as successful as the therapeutic relationship, so I invite my clients to get comfortable, be radically honest, and know that they are free from judgment in our time together. I tend to bring humor and creativity into my work and may employ a variety of therapy styles to help you achieve your unique goals.
How do your core values shape your approach to therapy?
I think that real change happens when we are willing to be honest and vulnerable. I know many of us come from backgrounds where it may have felt unsafe to share feelings, be honest, or create boundaries, so I model these ideals in therapy to create the space for my clients to do the same. I feel we all have the right to live authentically, free from guilt or shame.
What are you most excited about within the evolving mental health landscape?
I am most excited to see that therapy is becoming less of a taboo topic and that we are moving toward the mindset as a society that therapy is for everyone. I believe that shame cannot exist in the light so when we are vulnerable about our own experiences, it invites others to be vulnerable as well. I am also looking forward to seeing the future of teletherapy and finding ways we can create more efficient access to therapy for all.
“My approach to therapy is open and non-directive, meaning that you are empowered to determine what we focus on.”