What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
It appears to be abundantly apparent that a critical factor of the therapeutic relationship is the relationship focus. Clients and counselors must engage in ongoing feedback and adjustment to curate effective behaviors and compassionately validate their changes. I hope to commit to processing information with the most effective interventions flexibly.
How does collaboration with other providers play into your work?
I feel that collaborative therapy is useful because it allows clients and counselors to come together to form a comprehensive action plan for positive changes. I think that individuals, families, groups, and systems have hopes and aspirations. I aim to discuss options with the clients and consult with experts from various fields to promote a purposeful partnership to map out the best progress path.
Is there any research-based work you’ve done that you found particularly exciting, and how has that informed your practice today?
Research about processing life transitions, overwhelming distress, and emotional bonds appeals to me. I find that our minds remember foundational connections that contribute to the way we connect with other people. We tend to search for something to make life feel full while juggling the tension of best case and worse case scenarios. I am interested in assisting my clients across the lifespan in understanding the power of presence, expression and making room to acknowledge life’s suffering. Personal meaning for one’s life is subject to reconstruction along the way.
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.
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.
Stress
Distress stems from a subjective perception of something being unwanted, undesirable, or detrimental to your wellbeing. Excessive stress significantly impairs mental and physical health and is associated with many diseases and conditions.
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.
Coping Skills
Coping skills are tools and techniques one can learn, practice, and use to handle difficult emotions, decrease stress, and establish or maintain a sense of internal order.
General Expertise
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Attachment issues
Children that experience parents and/or guardians that are avoidant, ambivalent, or resistant from an early age, may develop attachment issues. This can manifest as difficulty forming or maintaining friendships, romantic relationships and empathetic bonds throughout life, as well as other issues.
Chronic illness
Persisting health conditions causing significant barriers to daily functioning as well as discrepancies in how society responds to disabilities. Can impact people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and lead to feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and helplessness.
College & graduate student issues
Issues arising from being in a new environment or away from home for the first time. College-aged kids have the highest rates of mental illness, suffering things like stress, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and substance abuse.
Fees
$130
First Session
$130
Family Therapy
$130
Couples Therapy
$130
Group Therapy
$130
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Family Session
Group Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Strength Based Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Attachment-Based Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eclectic Therapy
Existential Therapy
Training / Certifications
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Licensure
IL, LCPC, 180012750
Education
Doctoral Candidate, Christian Counseling, Liberty University
Master of Arts, Biblical Studies, Colorado Christian University
Master of Science, Mental Health Counseling and Rehabilitation, Illinois Institute of Technology
Work History
Initially, I worked for disability advocacy, and I engaged in school settings. I have been fortunate to engage with clients spanning from two years old to individuals in their 90s. Also, I was able to engage in behavioral therapy, play therapy, and then I segued to talk-therapy used in conjunction with committed action. Processing situations and practicing skills in the natural environment can contribute to an improved quality of life. In turn, I have seen individuals learn techniques to manage distress, engage in emotional regulation, and improve the moment across environments. I have practiced in-home services, school services, clinic-based services, and remote work. Choosing Therapy is a fantastic platform to offer telehealth sessions to meet clients where they are, prioritize awareness, and gauge willingness to meet their goals. I look forward to supporting you on your journey.
Location
1755 Park Street, Suite 200 # 1071, Naperville, 60563, IL