Specialties.

While I categorize myself as a “generalist”, meaning I treat a wide variety of mental health disorders, I do have several specialties. I have provided additional information about my philosophy and training as it pertains to those specialties. If you would like additional information about any condition I treat but did not expand upon, I am happy to provide it. Should you require treatment for a condition I am not qualified to treat, I will work with you to obtain resources and referrals to clinicians who are more equipped to provide you the treatment you need.

couples.

Choosing a couple’s therapist can be incredibly difficult. Unfortunately, many people choose the first therapist that pops up on a Google search without much research or vetting. Whether you decide to work with me or not – please take your time and ask questions before making a decision. My approach to couple’s counseling is different than other counselors you may encounter. I begin by helping couples rebuild and restore intimacy. Intimacy is one of the most (arguably, the most) important aspects of your marriage. Intimacy certainly includes sex – but is so much more. I work with couples to restore physical, emotional, spiritual, experiential and intellectual intimacy. As important as intimacy is – it is often the first thing to leave a marriage experiencing conflict. A lack of intimacy can make working through challenges nearly impossible. I tell couples all the time, “we have to get you liking each other again before we tackle anything else” Once intimacy is restored – it becomes the two of you vs. the challenges in your marriage. You are a united team with a shared goal. Believe it or not – at that point, many issues resolve themselves. What remains are the things we roll up our sleeves and begin to deal with. One other thing that sets me apart from some marriage counselors is that I don’t believe marriage is “one size fits all” You and your spouse are unique individuals and thus your marriage is unique to the two of you. What works for you may not work for another couple. That means there is not one “right” blueprint for marriage. My non-judgmental approach seeks to honor what YOU want your marriage to look like. I’ve worked with many different couples, with many different ideas about what they want their marriage to look like.  In the end – mutual respect, quality communication and shared appreciation are universal features of a healthy, fulfilling marriage. One final note about couples counseling. It’s unrealistic to think two individuals with different life experiences prior to marriage can get married and have no challenges. Why then do so many couples wait until their marriage is on the brink of divorce to seek couples counseling? Most of us engage in preventative medical care – yearly physicals and dental exams – whether we are experiencing major issues or not. Ideally, marriages should function the same way. Don’t look at marriage counseling as a last-ditch effort, but a useful tool to get the most out of your marriage. 

Depression.

Depression can be one of the most difficult mental illnesses to live with and to treat. Many of those struggling with depression go untreated or un-helped by the treatment they receive. Depression, like any other condition, varies greatly from person to person. It is important to work with a therapist who understands this and tailors treatment to each individual patient. I specialize in treatment resistant depression. I take time to get to know you – understand what your depression looks like and what hasn’t worked for you in the past. In treatment, I will strive to hold you accountable and empower you to take control of your depression – all while maintaining empathy and compassion for the struggles you face. As with any treatment I deliver – we will work together to achieve the goals you have for yourself. Whether you have struggled with depression most of your life or have experienced a life event that has brought on depression symptoms – we will work together to increase your understanding of depression, create a treatment plan to target your specific goals and work to teach you the skills you’ll need to manage your depression going forward.

Anxiety.

Anxiety is the most common mental illness I treat. Like other illnesses – it varies greatly from person to person. It affects children, teenager and adults alike. As someone who has lived with anxiety my entire life (yes, therapists struggle too!), I am mindful of the fears you may have at the thought of beginning the therapy process. Rest assured, I will work to make sure you are as comfortable as possible as we unpack your anxious thoughts and feelings. Anxiety work in therapy can take many forms, depending on your specific needs. Maybe you suffer from social anxiety and want to work on being more comfortable around people. Maybe you have a specific phobia – such as flying or driving over bridges – and want to work on minimizing those fears. Maybe you’ve been described as a “worrier” and your anxiety is more generalized. Whatever form your anxiety takes – we will work together to identify it, understand how it affects your life and work to equip you with skills to manage it. Additionally, I work often with pre and postpartum moms experiencing anxiety. With so many “mom-shamers” out there, many women wait too long to seek treatment – if they seek it at all. Don’t let anxiety run your life anymore – begin the process of taking back control of your thoughts and feelings. 

grief.

My initial grief training occurred long before I decided to pursue my degree in Clinical Counseling. My husband is a funeral director and I worked with him for years serving grieving families. Because I’ve had a more unconventional experience with grief than most therapists – my approach tends to be different. Grief affects people differently. And – it’s important to point out – the causes of grief vary dramatically. The loss of a loved one is certainly the source of grief many of us think of. However, the loss (without a death) of a relationship, job, lifestyle, etc. can lead to similar emotional struggles. Regardless of what your loss is – the goal is to find healing, purpose and joy on the other side.

teens.

Are you struggling to understand your teen? Are you unsure how to help your teen navigate the unique challenges they face today? I never set out to counsel teens. But I can say, without a doubt, they have quickly become one of my favorite populations to work with. Most teens aren’t thrilled with the idea of therapy – don’t let that deter you from seeking it out if you believe they could benefit from it. I can’t imagine being a teenager today – the challenges they face are very different than those you or I had to navigate at their age. Social media has dramatically changed so many aspects of their lives. Mistakes or embarrassing moments are captured, shared and exaggerated. Bullying doesn’t stop when they leave the school yard. My therapeutic approach with teenagers is very laid-back, but also assertive. I work to create a space where they feel safe to open up about things that are concerning them. When working with teens, we always establish clears boundaries around confidentiality. Your teen needs to feel they can trust that what they say in therapy remains confidential – and you, as their parent, need to trust that I will make you aware of anything dangerous or harmful going on with your teenager. 

Christian counseling.

For those who desire it, I offer Christian-based counseling. This approach integrates traditional therapy tools with a Biblical perspective - offering believers an opportunity to address issues such as marital conflict, depression or anxiety through the lens of Christian principles. As a believer myself - the greatest benefit of this type of counseling is that it provides the client not only with evidence-based treatments, but focuses on the unconditional love, grace and hope found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is important to note - as with all clients I treat - Christian counseling is provided in a non-judgmental environment. My goal is not to condemn or criticize, but help you draw closer to God and experience the life-changing power of his forgiveness and love.