How does collaboration with other providers play into your work?
Any person that comes to therapy tends to also come with their "village"! I love working with collaboratively with schools, doctors, caregivers, or anyone else involved in my client's "village". This is something I do based on the desires of the person I am working with, whether that means reaching out directly or brainstorming with the client on how to approach another provider themselves.
What does a first session with you look like?
In a first session, I like to get to know the person who is sitting in front of me, help them feel comfortable in the space, and set some goals together about what we want to work on together. If the person is a child or teenager, I usually invite their adults into the first part of the session to review expectations of all parties so we can all be in the same page.
In what ways do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
I can't say that I have a super comprehensive life philosophy, but I will say that a very important part of my life is that all people have value, are worthy of love, and have unique strengths that should be celebrated and enjoyed. In the therapy room, that is what I hope to portray to every person that walks in the door - they have value, worthy of love and have unique strengths regardless of why they came to therapy.
Specialties
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
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.
Parenting issues
Parenting issues involve those associated with the child-rearing process. These may include safety, discipline, nutrition, finances, childcare, school, household rules, chores, daily routines, social activities, and relationships with extended family members. Because child-rearing practices vary by culture, cultural norms must be considered.
Transition to new parenthood
Common issues may include self-doubt, feeling a lack of support, financial concerns, medical concerns, housing concerns, significant lifestyle change, reduced sleep, increased stress, anxiety, and depression.
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.
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.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
ADHD
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) causes a hard time focusing attention and controlling restless or impulsive behavior. People with ADHD might have emotional outbursts, be forgetful, and/or find it difficult to stay organized.
In-Network Insurance
All Savers Insurance
Cigna
Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare
Oscar Health
Oxford Health Plans
United Healthcare
United Medical Resources
Fees
$125
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Strength Based Therapy
Adlerian Therapy
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Play Therapy
Training / Certifications
Trauma-Focused CBT
Licensure
PA, LCSW, CW020485
Education
Masters of Social Service, Social Work, Bryn Mawr College
Bachelors in Social Work, Social Work, Eastern University
Work History
Most recently, I have worked in an elementary school offering mental health support. I have also worked in middle school and high school as a mental health therapist, and have lots of experience working with kids and teenagers who have emotional regulation needs. Prior to that, I have worked with families who have children ages 0-18 in their homes with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety, depression, ODD as a mobile therapist and Early Intervention social worker.
Location
516 E. Lancaster Avenue, Upstairs office 1, Downingtown, 19335, PA