About
People say therapy isn’t anything a couple of drinks or a good friend can’t handle.
That couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“You can Google anything a therapist has to teach you.”
Excuse me while I take a few seconds to roll my eyes and shake my head. (That pop you heard was a nerve in one of my eyes snapping from the extreme roll.)
You COULD “Google,” but then that’s just like using WebMD to look up symptoms, only to find out you have an incurable disease and you’re going to die tomorrow! (POP! There goes my other eye…)
Let’s be real.
Not much good has ever come from Googling something you should be seeing a professional for.
It may appear that what a therapist has to offer is simple, but behind what I say is research, knowledge, and experience.
A therapist ready to discuss what it is that brought you in. Why have you reached this point in your life where you need the extra help?
Sure, there’s a feeling of apprehension at first.
You say your challenges or struggles aren’t that simple.
Have regrets? Made some unforgivable mistakes?
Been unfaithful?
Struggling with your relationship?
Maybe you have some memories of some unforgettable stuff. Is it good? Bad? Just plain dark and hurtful?
Tell me, I’m listening…
You know you’ve never told anyone this before, but you figure… “What the heck, I’m here. Might as well be honest.”
Or you may even have the “what have I got to lose” approach.
I can discuss the research behind the feedback I give you. I can tell you what approach I’m using and why. I can explain the research.
I’m not going to tell you what to do.
But I can discuss your options and present you with facts. You can make an informed decision, instead of taking biased advice from a friend or family member.
My goal is to give YOU the tools, to help make your life a better and more fulfilled one.
Feeling EMPOWERED is amazing.
The strength behind making the tough decisions, or navigating a rough patch in your life, that feeling is one you must experience. And you will.
The therapeutic relationship is unique.
It’s most likely one of the healthiest relationships you’ve ever had OR will ever have.
I encourage you to be open and honest, without the fear of hurting someone’s feelings or being the focus of retaliating remarks.
Communication is a great tool, OR your biggest fear and barrier. That’s what we do in session, we communicate, we TALK. Believe it or not, you start to look forward to our conversations. You start to use what you learned in session, in your everyday life.
I’ll be your companion in therapy.
Therapy with me is like traveling in an unknown country, it can feel overwhelming, exciting, scary, anxiety provoking, but you’re not alone.
I’m with you to guide you. You may not have been there before, but I have. I’m going to see you through. I’ll make sure you get to where you’re going.
All I ask is you stay with me, learn to trust I know the way. Like most journeys, if you leave the guide, you can get lost.
Have you ever been lost? It’s not a good feeling.
I’ll give you guidance.
You’ll have practice tools as you think about your next step.
The answers will start to be clearer, and you’ll know how to weigh the options and see potential outcomes.
If you’re willing to put in the work on investing in yourself, I’m also willing to work just as hard with you.
About Me
Growing up, I was surrounded by people who were always helping others.
It started with my grandparents. As I grew older, I’d see my dad help the homeless – at times offering what he had out of his own groceries, just so someone else could eat. My mom also has a big heart, at times to a fault, but nonetheless always giving.
I started going to school for Psychology. My first semester was a lot of general ed courses and the psychology classes I took, well let’s say, a fire wasn’t sparked. A friend suggested accounting classes – they’re “interesting” “fast paced.” Thinking, “I can do this, I’ll make a good living.” That didn’t last long.
I then tried computer science. (yea…I don’t know why) Well that was almost as bad as the accounting classes. I couldn’t talk to anyone. All that coding and staring at the computer for hours just DRAINED me.
I went back to general ed, and enrolled in another psychology course, and guess what! It’s like a fire lit, not just a spark. I wanted to know more.
Being a therapist was the path for me!
It gave me the interaction I naturally craved. Not only did I get to help people, but I got to pass on the knowledge I learned and continued to learn. I saw results. I found it was a calling, I work well with people, and developed working relationships that brought out their best. What a feeling!
Throughout my internship, and on the road to licensure, I continued to take courses, trainings, and participated in consultations with other therapists. Honing a craft or profession is always a work in progress. You’re never done.
I decided to become trained in EMDR, which has proved to help tremendously with the emotional wounds people are holding onto or have packed away. I discovered trauma, both big and small, sets the framework of our lives, it can make or break a person. It has a way of lingering, providing doubt when we least expect it. It can stop someone from pursuing better.
After becoming trained, it changed my approach to people, and therapy in general. I have since added it to my arsenal of treatment approaches.
I enjoy people. I enjoy the challenge, the journey, the outcome, and even the heartbreaks and disappointments. There’s always something to learn.
When I stop learning, it’s probably time for me to retire, and I’m not there yet.