About

Hello! Some of the hardest times in life are when we realize we need help or when we know we need to make some changes. What can be even more difficult is seeking out help and actually asking for it. That act takes so much insight and bravery! I would be honored to assist on your journey and provide the support you require! The following will explain a little about me, my education, my experiences, style of practice, and how I view the therapeutic relationship.

I attained a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan's School of Social Work. My focus was on Interpersonal Practice i.e. clinical therapy. I am licensed in the state of Michigan. I have been a Clinical Supervisor and Educator for the past 4 years. I have worked in the Human Service and Social Work field for nearly 14 years. I have experience in a number of settings: inpatient, outpatient, long-term residential, crisis residential, and community mental health. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals that have experienced trauma. That has been a constant. My area of focus, my passion, has been helping people heal from their experiences. I have dedicated the past 7 years to educating myself and others about the effects of trauma on individuals and communities. I am acutely aware, professionally and personally, how events far in the past can still have a guiding influence on the here and now.

My therapeutic style is rooted in education and skill-building. I believe people are empowered (and able to be compassionate with themselves) when they have a clear understanding of why they are experiencing what is happening within their minds and body. I work with people so they understand how their brain works and how that influences their minds, and vice versa. I work with each person honoring their individuality and their unique story. I experiment with people to find out what skills help them feel better and discover what skills are sustainable for the long-term. I have been trained and worked for 3 years in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT.) This is an evidence-based therapeutic model utilized to treat individuals with a history of untreated trauma that has developed into harmful ways of coping with their pain. DBT is focused on teaching skills to change unhealthy patterns of behavior. I draw on this experience and use these skills to assist individuals in making needed changes. Personally, I continue to utilize these skills every day!

A guiding principle in my practice is, I do not ask people to do anything that I haven’t done myself. I have my own individual therapist. The skills and strategies I teach, I use or have used in the past. I believe the therapeutic relationship is a relationship between equals. This relationship can be one of the most powerful and transformative relationships between two human beings. It has been the honor of my life to serve as a person’s individual therapist, to be what they need in a moment in time. Whether that is a container, a guide, a witness, a teacher, an anchor, a champion, or all of the above.

I believe in healing the whole person, unwavering compassion, honest real-talk, authenticity and vulnerability, playfulness and levity, and the power of feeling seen and heard. If this resonated with you, let’s get to work! I look forward to hearing from you!