I approach mental health from a non-pathological lens, meaning I commit to meet you with compassionate curiosity and see you as more than a cluster of symptoms. Sometimes symptoms that are identified as diagnoses or mental health conditions may also be understood as symptoms of trauma, variations in neurotype, and reasonable responses to unreasonable circumstances we may find ourselves in throughout our life—these stories and lived experiences often need to be heard rather than labeled. At the same time, I recognize diagnoses can be helpful as a tool for finding community, resources, and self-understanding, and if it is helpful to you, we can have these conversations as well. I strive to see you as a whole, complex person in an equally complex environment.

Being a trauma-informed therapist means that I am paying attention to how you may be impacted by trauma, and how trauma responses may shape your behaviors, emotions, nervous system response, and worldview. In our work together we will explore how trauma impacts your mind, body, and spirit, nurture awareness of and trust in your internal resources and resilience, and then resource you with tools to begin to more effectively regulate your nervous system.

Mindfulness invites us to increase our awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and actions. You may think about breathing exercises or meditation practices when you think of mindfulness (and these are great!), but mindfulness is also a way of being in the world. A mindfulness mindset allows you to interrupt automatic reactions such as fight, flight, or freeze that can lead to anxiety and fear. In pausing these reactions, you can then make conscious and mindful decisions about how you want to respond to any given situation.

I value inclusivity and strive to provide culturally competent therapy, recognizing that issues that present themselves in therapy are likely informed by larger contexts and systems (family, cultural, societal, etc.)—including awareness of issues related to power, privilege, and marginalization. I have always been interested in and continue to educate myself about the diversity of the human experience—cultural values/practices, race, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, social class, and ability. I bring this curiosity with me to the therapy room, while honoring you as the expert in your own experience.

Strengths-based therapy involves exploring your strengths, resources (personality traits, skills, social support, vocational training, etc.), and resilience. Even in your most difficult moments when you feel as though you are doing everything “wrong,” I believe you have strengths and resources available to you, even if they have been hiding for some time or your whole life—we will work together to (re)discover them!

Depending on your needs and desired outcomes for therapy, I adapt my therapeutic approach for your specific situation and personality. I most often utilize acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and emotionally-focused therapy and narrative therapy. I am also trained in levels 1 & 2 of Gottman Method Relationship Therapy (couples) and have completed a certificate program in Somatic Embodiment & Nervous System Regulation Strategies.