What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
Before becoming a therapist, I was an artist. I studied art in college and wanted to be a professional artist for my career. But after some time I realized that being an artist as a profession was very lonely for me, and I desired to help and serve others. Additionally, art has always been very therapeutic for me, so when I discovered that Art Therapy was an actual career, I knew it was for me! I am also a natural listener and so being a therapist seemed second nature to me.
What does success look like in therapy? How will a client know that they are making progress?
Success in therapy does not mean that you will no longer struggle with depression, anxiety, stress, or any other negative emotion or issue. Rather, success is found in how you cope with these feelings and events and the meaning that you make out of your experiences. The quote on my profile about Kintsugi pottery sums up my beliefs about progress and success in therapy quite well: when you can get to the point where you see your broken parts, your cracks, flaws, and struggles—as unique, beautiful, and more valuable than before you were broken…that is when real healing begins to happen. And any step along the way, even if painful, is a step in the right direction.
What is your style/approach to therapy?
I take a person-centered, holistic approach to therapy, where my style, approach, and type of therapy I offer can change based on what you, as the client, need and want. For instance, just because I specialize in art therapy, if art is not your thing, I don’t force you to do it! I find that many adults are somewhat traumatized by their experiences with art in school, and it brings up feelings of inadequacy rather than accomplishment. Take a look at my video where I explain more about what art therapy is and how it works in therapy sessions with adults. No matter what type of therapy I may use, I always follow your lead in terms of who you are as a person (spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically), using your natural strengths and interests to guide the sessions. I do, however, ask that you complete a task of some kind in between sessions, where you can either further explore or practice skills or ideas that we discussed in session. So be prepared to put in a little bit of time and effort in between sessions—I find that progress is made much, much quicker that way!
Specialties
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
Artists' mental health
There’s been a long history of debating the connection between creativity and mental illness. Research shows mixed results but ultimately, anyone can experience mental health issues in relation to professional burnout or work-related stress.
Identity development
Process of defining one’s own beliefs and sense of self. Evolves over time and can become a source of stress and pain, especially if the concept of self goes against social, cultural, or familial norms.
Life transitions
Positive and negative change can be difficult, including things like moving, breaking up, adjusting to parenthood, or changing careers. It’s normal to feel stressed, however, life transitions can inhibit people from living healthy lifestyles.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
General Expertise
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Abuse/Survivors of abuse
Abuse includes any significant mistreatment along the lines of psychical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and neglect. Survivors of abuse may experience negative thoughts and feelings, flashbacks, distrust of others, social withdrawal, self-harm, and increased likelihood of developing mental health and substance abuse issues.
Fees
$130
Family Therapy
$130
Couples Therapy
$75
Group Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Family Session
Couples Session
Group Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Art Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eclectic Therapy
Existential Therapy
Expressive Arts Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Positive Psychology
Somatic Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
ATR-BC, TF-CBT, DBT, CBT
Licensure
NY, LCAT, 001707
Education
MS, Art Therapy, Pratt Institute
Work History
I have over 10 years of experience providing therapy to people of all ages and all backgrounds, and have treated a wide variety of mental health struggles including depression, anxiety, stress, bipolar disorder, sexual issues, trauma, substance use, and more. I’ve worked with adults on an inpatient psychiatric unit in a hospital, with teenagers in residential facilities and public high schools, and with adults at a community mental health outpatient clinic. I am a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, which means I have the experience and credentials to provide regular talk therapy or psychotherapy, as well as the expertise to help you use creativity and art making within your therapy sessions to deepen the experience and therapeutic benefits.
Location
31 Thurber Drive, Waterloo, 13165, NY