What is your style/approach to therapy?
My approach to therapy is eclectic and reflects my belief that individuals and their experience are unique. Counseling should be dynamic, person-centered, and not cookie-cutter. Some of the evidence-based practices I incorporate include: EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Progressive Counting (PC), Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills, narrative, and solution-focused interventions. I may assign homework &/or suggest external resources to aid recovery. Our work together will be collaborative and reflect your needs and goals.
What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
One very important component of the therapeutic relationship is trust. Trust, warmth, and positive regard, along with collaboration and understanding of your needs, are foundational to creating an alliance. I will regularly ask for feedback about what is going well and what is not. Open communication is essential for our work together.
What’s the most profound, insightful, or interesting thing you’ve learned as a mental health professional?
The human mind is amazing. The brain is capable of profoundly disturbing thoughts, feelings, and scary stress responses, but it's also capable of incredible healing and adaptive functioning. Being asked to help guide a journey from despair to recovery and hope is a privilege. If you are looking for an off-ramp from pain, or contemplating if your worthy of the trip, let's talk. I can help you map your exit ramp.
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.
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.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a condition that is precipitated by a perceived terrifying event. This event need not occur directly to the person but may happen vicariously—having seen something terrible happen to another person. The condition may last months or years while symptoms include ruminating thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety when triggered, and potential substance abuse in attempt to cope.
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
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
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.
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.
Caregiver stress & support
Caring for a friend or family member (paid or unpaid) includes emotional support, housework, help with finances, medication management, and shopping. Can be stressful, making caregivers more vulnerable to things like anxiety, isolation, and fatigue.
In-Network Insurance
Sana Benefits
Fees
$100
First Session
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Strength Based Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Training / Certifications
Certified Trauma Treatment Specialist # 9820-3588 (CTTS)
Certified Clinical Military Counselor (CCMC)
EMDR
Progressive Counting
Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS)
National Certified Counselor # 58047 (NCC)
Licensure
NC, LCMHC, 3767
Education
Masters In Counseling
Work History
I have been a dually licensed professional since 2001. I have a broad range of experience working with mental health and substance use disorders, but I am a trauma therapist at heart. My passion for working with PTSD, acute stress, medical, developmental, and complex trauma is reflected in my training and experience. I am a Certified Trauma Treatment Specialist, Certified Clinical Military Counselor, and National Certified Counselor as well.
Location
Remote, Charlotte area, NC