Sometimes, we want to create change but struggle with some unknown parts of ourselves that seem to prohibit change. Habits, life long patterns and unconscious beliefs can hold us back from living the life that we long for. It takes time and courage to examine our beliefs and reach out for what we really want. As a therapist, I follow the process of each individual. Clients are viewed on a spectrum of health, rather than through a lens of pathology. This approach creates a very curious and creative focus that encourages growth at the client’s own pace. This is your time to explore what you really feel and how you want to live.

I enjoy helping individuals and couples identify emotional and relationship patterns that are creating distress, working together to improve self-understanding and the capacity to form healthy, loving relationships with family and friends. Therapy is a collaborative learning process, and my therapeutic style is interactive and non-judgmental. I integrate various therapeutic approaches to help clients develop their strengths and establish a toolbox of skills for coping and growth.

Intimacy, creativity, and feelings are essential aspects of nourishment when we are experiencing troubling times in our lives. The symptoms we experience such as depression, anxiety, or relationship challenges are often directing our attention to deeper meaning and understanding of ourselves. In my work with individuals and couples, we are often engaged in relationship and intimacy concerns and exploring ways to heal and experience self-love and self-trust. We all have survival, coping, and healing abilities that can help us grow and thrive under many circumstances. Sometimes assistance is needed to help these abilities develop.

I specialize with individuals and couples who desire to heal emotional problems associated with lack of trust, intimacy difficulties, ineffective communication, anger, silence and distance, sexual matters/addictions or infidelity. My services are COMPASSIONATE, RESULTS-ORIENTED, AFFORDABLE. I focus on helping people deal, heal, and grow through the inevitable seasons of change inherent to our lives. My approach is collaborative with the client, helping you reveal who you are, what you seek, supporting you in critical examination of the challenges you face. Together we create goals, develop strategies, and engage in ongoing interaction that moves you toward meaningful paths of change.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Holistic Nutritionist. With my background in both disciplines, I believe strongly in looking at both the physical and mental factors that might be impacting a person's life. I worked for over ten years in community mental health settings helping kids and their families address divorce, ADHD, anxiety, stress, life- balance, depression, parenting, behavioral issues and attachment. I feel the therapy room should be a safe, non-judgmental place to explore everything that is impacting your life.

Life is hard. Sometimes we experience things that overwhelm our ability to cope causing feelings of powerlessness, depression, anxiety, anger, or grief. Our experience may feel like a wrecking ball has smashed into our life, or maybe it's been a slow leak and the foundation is cracking. Maybe you have experienced a devastating loss. Or maybe you find yourself here struggling to hold onto a relationship that feels disconnected. Maybe you look good on paper, but feel lousy on the inside and wonder what lies beneath the heaviness. Maybe you grew up in a home with abuse or neglect, and you're ready to confront remnants of trauma.

Trauma, grief, divorce, conflict in personal or family relationships, parenting issues, all can be overwhelming and affect us deeply - causing anxiety, depression, addiction, broken relationships, and a need to disconnect. Gaining self-awareness and understanding how our thoughts and feelings impact our actions and interaction with others is important. Together, we identify goals, develop tools, and learn how to change behaviors based on new thoughts and beliefs, develop more fulfilling relationships, feel less distress, and find solutions to specific problems. Life begins to have perspective again.

Seeking therapy is a courageous act. In the context of a safe, therapeutic relationship, I work to assist you in developing a greater sense of self-awareness and a clear internal sense of what is right for you as a unique individual. I assist you in discovering constructive ways to cope with challenges and to manage difficult feelings. I may also be proactive in respectfully challenging perceptions and behaviors that may contribute to your suffering. I work well with adolescents, as well as adults.

Waiting to get help can prolong suffering. A lot can change in 8 weeks. Get started now with a Thrive West Therapist. We specialize in working with individuals wanting to get to the root of overwhelming anxiety, discomfort, relationship issues, infertility, ADHD, career, life transitions, and stress. Anxiety and overwhelming feelings don't have to control you. If feeling weighed down by fear, uncertainty, sadness, never feeling "enough", and frozen by indecision sounds too familiar- we can help. We will show you how it is possible to overcome anxiety and build a healthier life, relationships, habits, and rewarding work/career.

ARE YOU WANTING A MORE AUTHENTIC WHOLEHEARTED LIFE? I am a certified Daring Way facilitator who works with clients to develop shame resilience skills and a courage practice that transforms the way they live, love, parent, and lead. Dr. Brene Brown's The Daring Way(tm) curriculum is a highly experiential methodology developed to help men, women, and adolescents learn how to show up, be seen, and live braver more authentic lives. Using this methodology I work collaboratively with my clients to support them around challenges with stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, work, and recovery from addictions.

Our human spirit is geared toward resiliency and we have an incredible amount of personal resources available to us that can help us to overcome hardships, we just need to discover them. It is my goal, to help you discover these resources and to improve your quality of life as a result. I seek to create a safe space for my clients, free from judgement where you are free to explore your deepest values and goals. Together we can help you determine what aspects of your life are working well for you and which areas in your life you would like to fine tune in order to bring an increased sense of well-being and peace.

Do you experience intense and unmanageable emotions? Do you often find yourself acting impulsively and engaging in self-defeating behaviors? Does it seem like you are simply surviving the journey of life rather than enjoying it? Change is possible! I am glad you are interested in counseling with me and I look forward to hearing your story. Through therapy I can help you learn new ways to cope with current difficulties, as well as heal old wounds. I will strive to help you discover your own inner strength and become your best self.

Why do people go to therapy? Most often, it is because we are in a crisis of some kind. Although we all find crises painful, they are also opportunities for growth. In fact growth does not occur without discomfort, maybe even pain. Without that challenge, we will not grow. But we must also have support. That’s where therapy comes in. Through support and challenge, something new emerges. We don’t just get through. We grow. We come out the other side greater than we were.

Are you a couple who struggles with any of the following? Little things become big things; hard or impossible to talk about certain topics because it leads to a fight; one withdraws while the other feels abandoned; both withdraw leaving a feeling of a Cold War where there is a seeming insurmountable distance; uncertain whether to trust your partner, which shows up in small ways; feel challenged to communicate the most basic experience you’re having; sexual disconnection. Counseling is for people who are curious and willing to examine themselves in a self-reflective way. It is for people who are seeking support to make changes.

Are you seeking to improve communication and connection with your partner? We’re all doing the best we can with the relationship tools we currently have. Some of those tools may not be helpful; our parents weren’t good role models, or our perceptions and judgments are flawed, or our beliefs and points of reference don’t serve our interests. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. What you want is relief from suffering, and strength to overcome challenges to gain a better understanding of you and your partner. I am here to provide a safe environment for you to say the hard things and hear your needs.

What is meaningful in your life? How do you create joy in your relationships? How do you find relief from distress, sadness and anxiety? How do you heal from past traumas and wounds? These are questions that we all face during the course of our lives. Finding your own answers is what leads to a full and satisfying life. In therapy, we take the time to examine and explore these questions in depth. It is your time to find your answers to these fundamental questions. I honor your courage in reaching out for help.

Are you struggling with compulsive sexual thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work or relationships? Do you have a secret life? Are you married to or partnered with someone who lies, cheats or betrays you? Are you re-experiencing the pain of a trauma or abuse history? I can help you gain relief from sadness, loss and grief. End the cycle of one-night stands, hook-ups and failed relationships. You can redefine your goals for healthy sexuality and find a way back to your true values, making your life worth living. Seek help. Therapy works if you are willing to work on your recovery.

Life can be difficult - you often feel sad, anxious, unsatified, like a failure, or even suicidal. Life has not turned out like you planned and you don’t understand what is wrong - you try so hard but still end up alone, misunderstood and never getting what you need.

Impossible is temporary. As a relational psychologist specializing in issues like trauma and addictions, I have learned this time and time again. The combination of a supportive relationship, motivation to change well-worn patterns, and clear, concrete guidance can lead to changes far beyond what people believe is possible. Sometimes it seems "impossible" to live a deeper, more connected existence. We may carry scars of rejection and betrayal that keep us from being our truest selves. We heal in the context of genuine, warm, accepting relationships that also encourage us to take risks. I so enjoy building these relationships.

My style in working with clients is positive and direct. I believe wholeheartedly in the possibility of change, and that the deepest, most powerful change starts on the inside. As our core beliefs, patterns and awareness shifts, life on the outside begins to reflect those internal changes, resulting in greater satisfaction and meaning. My approach involves working in partnership with clients, using the counseling relationship as a catalist on the journey to healing and growth, both individually and in relationships.