What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
I love being a therapist AND I cannot work harder than you. I always tell my clients that therapy is a relationship- WE are in relationship together. We are working together and I cannot do more work than you. Therapy is one hour a week, sometimes a little more, and clients have so much life outside of our one hour together- doing the work is important.
If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
I've had many people (including family and friends) ask, "Is it ok if I have specific qualities that I am looking for in a therapist?" And I always answer with, " What, you have preferences? Great!!" Yes, it is totally fine to have preferences when looking for a therapist! The search can be difficult. I always share that the core of therapy is the relationship; if you don't have a great therapeutic relationship with your therapist, it will be hard to do great work and achieve your goals. That means that you should feel comfortable and confident in the therapeutic relationship that you and your therapist are building- if that means preferences need to be met for you, then so be it!
What’s the most profound, insightful, or interesting thing you’ve learned as a mental health professional?
Clients are the experts of their own experiences. Although a professional with years of training and experience in the mental health field- I can never tell a client how he/she/they think, feel or experience an event. I listen, and provide insight, and help to make meaning, and teach to reframe so clients can live their best lives. I can never tell a client, "No, this is your experience."
Specialties
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.
Race & Cultural Identity
Challenges around race and cultural identity vary enormously, including issues related to discrimination, racism, and intergenerational trauma.
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
Careers
Designed to help people choose, change, or leave a career at any stage of life. Careers are often wrapped up in people’s perceived identity, therefore, any change can cause anxiety and/or depression.
Work Stress
Workplace issues are a common source of stress and can include interpersonal conflict, communication problems, gossip, harassment, discrimination, low motivation and job satisfaction, performance issues, and poor job fit.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
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.
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.
Fees
$130
Couples Therapy
$110
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eclectic Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Training / Certifications
Nationally Certified Counselor
Licensure
GA, LPC, LPC011215
IL, LCPC, 180011154
Education
Masters Degree; Clinical Psychology, Counseling Specialization; The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Work History
As a child, I always knew that I would one day become a lawyer; I was the kid who wanted to BE Ben Matlock. After a semester of majoring in Political Science however, that quickly changed. My objective changed, but not my overall goal of helping people. I switched my major to Social Work and interned, before later getting hired to work for a 24 hour Crisis Intervention Shelter. After receiving my Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, I became a preschool teacher for two years- that was such a fun experience. After graduating from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with my Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology with a Counseling Specialization, I practiced therapy for DCFS wards in Specialized Foster Care. Four years later, I decided that I wanted to focus more on the adult population. I moved into the private practice setting in Chicago and worked with a diverse population of individual clients and couples. My specialties include working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and/or difficulty with life transitions/adjustment/stressors; LGBTQ+ clients; grief and loss; issues of identity; relationship challenges; and couple's counseling. I transitioned back to Atlanta in December 2019 and I look forward to meeting you and the work that we will achieve together.
Location
5887 Glenridge Drive, Suite 230, Sandy Springs, 30328, GA