I desire to create an environment where clients can feel safe, seen and valued for who they are. I view our time together as a chance to play, learn, risk, heal, and both come away impacted by one another. Even though I will not be sharing my own story with you, I don’t view myself as a passive observer to your story but an active participant. As a trusted mentor of mine states,

“Therapy brings us right up to the core of who we are–it asks us to really look at ourselves, question ourselves, and ultimately embrace our many flaws and what makes us beautifully human.” 

This is the kind of environment I will work to create, in collaboration with you. In short, my goal as a counselor is to be fully human with you. I believe that’s the most therapeutic thing anyone can offer anyone else: their humanity. It’s courageous and vulnerable to give ourselves fully to others, but this is what I believe is some of the most important work we can possibly do in our lives.

I am very client-centered as I believe you know where you want to go and what things you want to bring to the surface. I will encourage you to trust your gut and listen to your body, knowing that our bodies hold memories and trauma from our entire lives.

I believe good therapy takes time and I don’t think healing can be rushed, so it’s important to me to build the relationship between us. I employ humor and playfulness in sessions when it is appropriate but also feel very comfortable with intense feelings of anger and grief. I am not overwhelmed easily by big feelings and I will invite you to bring those in with you to our sessions instead of leaving them at the proverbial door.

I invite you to disagree with me or let me know when I have misunderstood or provided unhelpful feedback as my ego does not hang on being “right” and I am committed to continual growth and understanding of you, the client. I am committed to depth work as I believe it is much more effective and honoring to you than solution-based therapy.

I want to see my clients learn to treat themselves with fierce kindness and compassion. I want my clients to believe they are lovable and can experience courage in their vulnerability instead of shame. I hope to see my clients gain access to the total spectrum of human emotion available to each of us in order to live fully, with both joy and sorrow. I hope my work with my clients invites them to deeper relationship with their family, friends, partners, and larger community.