If you could pick one movie or book that influenced your approach to therapy, what would it be and why?
All novels by Jane Austen. Austen has taught me how to put my thoughts aside to consider those of others. Austen teaches us empathy and patient understanding. The characters depicted are often wrought with emotional experience while practicing the utmost self-control for social decorum. Most of all, her work has influenced my understanding that we can have strong emotional experience, pay attention to it with compassion, while still being able to converse with our neighbors.
In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
Humor! The Greek playwrights talked of life being full of comedy and tragedy. I have found this true in my work, especially with those who have suffered severe trauma. Humor is healing and it is necessary. Some of my most memorable therapy breakthroughs included humor in some way.
If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
The experience of therapy is like finding a good friend that you get to tell all your most private thoughts to, will hold you accountable in a compassionate way, and will never make you feel less than. Therapy is a way to explore, in a supportive space, all the thoughts that come into our minds and struggles we often find ourselves white-knuckling through alone. Therapy is, to put it simply, a safe space to be you. Not the you that society expects. Just you.
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.
Medical professionals' mental health
Many medical professionals have extremely difficult jobs. When the result of one’s work is a matter of life or death, stress is typical. Medical professionals’ mental health is oftentimes impacted by experiencing vicarious trauma, working long hours, feeling underpaid or unappreciated, and believing that the well-being of others is more important than their own. This may lead toward distress, compromised performance, resentment, poor mental and/or physical health, and burnout.
Panic attacks & panic disorder
Panic attacks are acute conditions in which one experiences an intense bout of anxiety out of seemingly nowhere. This oftentimes stems from a perceived rather than actual threat. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. Panic disorder involves regular frequency of panic attacks (two or more) with a fear of experiencing more in the future.
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.
General Expertise
Careers
Designed to help people choose, change, or leave a career at any stage of life. Careers are often wrapped up in people’s perceived identity, therefore, any change can cause anxiety and/or depression.
Sexuality Based Issues
Sexuality refers to habits and preferences in terms of sexual behavior, which people express in many ways. Issues in this area may be related to confusion or distress about sexuality or sexual identity.
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.
Agoraphobia
A debilitating anxiety associated with the intense fear of being in situations or places that might cause panic like crowded rooms, long lines or other situations or places that might cause panic.
Anger management
It's normal to experience anger at times, but for some, it becomes so frequent, intense, or difficult to control that it negatively affects their life. Anger management is a structured therapeutic approach toward reducing one’s anger to a point where more appropriate coping and/or conflict management skills are used. Beliefs and thoughts leading toward anger outbursts are explored while healthy coping and interpersonal skills are put into practice.
In-Network Insurance
Cigna
Optum
Texas Blue Shield
United Healthcare
United Medical Resources
Fees
$150
First Session
$175
Family Therapy
$175
Couples Therapy
$150
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Individual Session
Couples Session
Group Session
Clientele
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Existential Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Feminist Therapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Intensive Therapy
Training / Certifications
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Licensure
TX, LPC, 80182
Education
Master of Arts, Counseling, St. Edward's University
Work History
I like to think that my work in therapy actually began during my developing years where I would find myself riveted by the family dramas depicted in novels by V.C. Andrews. Throughout my life, I have exposed myself to other peoples, cultures, and beliefs that have left me with an empathetic understanding of human nature in many forms. During my graduate work, I completed an internship with Out Youth. Here, I worked with teens and young adults (ages 15 - 21 yrs) in the LGBTQIA community, running groups and providing individual counseling. I left grad school to find myself working in community based mental health, serving the very community that I live in. I dedicated 3 1/2 years as an intensive case manager, working with individuals suffering from moderate to severe mental illness. I loved my work with these individuals, ever held in my heart. After my work in the community, I moved on to work in a behavioral hospital where I still continue my work. Here I work with active duty military, veterans, and first responders in an intensive out-patient group setting. I have worked with these resilient individuals for 1 1/2 years and love the camaraderie that I find within the groups. I feel a strong drive to serve those that continue to serve us and to walk with them through their pain so that they are not left alone in struggle. I look forward to taking all of these experiences into account as I continue to work with individuals from all walks of life.
Location
Remote Therapy, Austin, 78717, TX