What does a first session with you look like?
The initial session will be in more of a structured assessment format that is broken down into various areas including gathering specific information as to what brings you to therapy at this time, as well as information about your past social and behavioral health history. I find it is important to keep the first session more data focused and not about diving “deep” into any particular area. Throughout the assessment process, I will gain a broader knowledge of you and your treatment objectives. From here, I will then be able to meet and assist you in gaining the motivation, insight, knowledge, as well as the healthy functional coping mechanisms to help you achieve your goals. I hope to promote your emotional growth and well-being by providing a supportive and safe environment conducive for healthy self-exploration to help empower you to find the confidence that is lacking or might have been lost to make the changes or adjustments you see fit.
What’s the most profound, insightful, or interesting thing you’ve learned as a mental health professional?
An insight I have gained throughout my clinical experience, as well from general day to day interactions with others is the recognition that no matter how people look or act on the surface, we never truly know what’s happening in their inside world. I have found it is better to be “curious” about others and what is going on in their lives rather than “jump to conclusions” or place judgments.
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
Growing up as a competitive figure skater, I recognized that along with one’s physical preparedness, one’s mindset was of equal or perhaps an even greater level of importance to how one ultimately ends up “performing”. One’s particular type “performance” or functionality (examples: academics, career, relationships, etc.) will vary from person to person and situation to situation depending on one’s age and stage in life, however the value of having a healthier and stable mindset in order to “perform/function” at one’s best will still be important. This recognition led me to pursue a degree in the counseling field so I could gain a deeper understanding of the “power” of the mind and learn interventions to help others in the journey to achieve their goals.
Specialties
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.
Academic challenges
Concerns that impact school performance or academic life. Can include perfectionism, bullying, financial stress, academic transitions, test anxiety, balancing school with other responsibilities, discrimination, or harassment.
Autism spectrum disorder
A developmental disability that impacts communication and behavior. Onset typically occurs during early childhood, but an individual may be diagnosed at any point in life. Severity of the disorder varies along a spectrum. Accordingly, challenges associated with verbal and nonverbal communication, interpersonal interactions, and restricted/repetitive behaviors vary as well.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anorexia nervosa
Identified as self-starvation with strict eating behaviors included food refusal and an irrational fear of gaining weight that doesn’t subside with ongoing weight loss. Common symptoms include poor self-image, self-esteem, nutrition, and overall health.
Body image issues
Due to continued exposure to images of “normal” or “desired” body types, people can develop a range of positive or negative emotions about their appearance causing anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Fees
$100
First Session
$85
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Humanistic Therapy
Integrative Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Licensure
IL, LCPC, 006952
Education
Master's Degree, Counseling Psychology, Lewis University (Romeoville, IL)
Bachelor's Degree, Psychology, Miami University (Oxford, OH)
Work History
I have worked in the behavioral health field for over 17 years in a number of settings, including psychiatric units, residential facilities, outpatient social service agencies and in private practice. In each setting, I continued to learn and grow in my skills as a therapist having had the privilege to cultivate many successful therapeutic relationships providing psychotherapy to individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds. I have gained extensive experience working with individuals struggling with depression, bipolar, a variety of anxiety related diagnoses, as well autism and ADHD. Additional areas of treatment include grief, parenting, divorce, blended families, anger management, relationships in general, as well as individuals suffering from eating disorders and chronic illnesses.