In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
Often I hear from others after learning my profession, "Well that makes sense, you are good are talking with others and helping them gain perspective!" I truly love meeting new people and helping them on their journey wherever they are at, and I can guarantee you there will be laughter during our sessions. Often we think therapy has to be serious and sad because of the issues we are dealing with, but laughter and focusing on the good is such a key and important part to my work.
Are there any recurring themes or issues you’ve noticed as you treat people in your area of specialization, and how has this insight guided your approach?
Throughout my work with individuals, couples, and families, I have noticed how everyone wants connection. We all want to have connections with others in one way or another. However, we often lose sight of ourselves in our relationships (romantic, family, friends, work, etc.) and forget who we are as an individual and what our boundaries are and sometimes our identity. No matter what reason a client has come to see me, I make sure to focus part of the treatment on their own identity and mindfulness.
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
In high school, I had a fantastic mentor who inspired me to help others in the same way one day. After my bachelors and first job a preschool, I realized I wanted to work with families in some capacity, which led me to pursuing my degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Upon graduation and a few years of experience at a variety of companies, I truly enjoy working with all individuals, including couples and families.
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.
Adolescent mental health
Adolescent mental health focuses on adolescent-specific experiences including physical and cognitive development, social and environmental factors, sex, sexual identification and orientation, emotional processing, and substance use. Given the influence that parents/guardians have on adolescents, home life is a particularly important consideration.
Family issues
Familial relationships can be the source of stress and emotional pain, even in the healthiest of situations. Painful interactions can range from irritation to resentment and lead to feelings of guilt, disappointment, and anger.
Marriage issues
Issues within a marriage. Can include issues related to trust, intimacy, communication, infidelity, parenting, or conflict. Can also include discussion related to separation or divorce.
Couples
Provides couples therapy/counseling
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.
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.
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.
Bipolar disorder
Characterized by alternating symptoms of depression and mania. During more extreme episodes, depression may lead to the point of suicidal ideation and attempts while extreme bouts of mania are marked by impulsive behavior, lack of sleep, elevated esteem, and even psychosis.
Fees
$125
First Session
$125
Family Therapy
$125
Couples Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Children (5-12)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Family Systems Therapy
Marriage and Family Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Structural Family Therapy
Hypnotherapy
Training / Certifications
Higher Level Hypnosis Certification
Families and Forgiveness: Therapy, Healing, and the Ethics of Reconciliation
Licensure
FL, LMFT, MT3827
Education
Master of Science, Marriage and Family Therapy, Capella University
Bachelor of Science, Family and Child Sciences, Florida State University
Work History
I am thankful for the variety of experiences I have had as a therapist at this point in my career. Early on, I was able to work with at-risk youth and their families in my local country high schools, as well as in the juvenile justice system. As hard as this was at times, it gave me a new appreciation for the work not only the counselors, but any employee I met in this process. I eventually decided that I wanted to pursue my original goal of not only working with adolescents, but also couples and families. I joined a private practice where I was able to work with individuals, couples, and families from all over the city, including military clients. I was also trained in hypnosis which has greatly influenced my belief in the importance of mindfulness for every client I have the privilege of working with.
Location
Remote Therapy, FL