Therapists in Mountain Brook, AL

Two things that consistently spark joy for me are the ocean and the color blue. I was born and raised in Birmingham and I come from a big, loud, Italian family. While family doesn't always spark joy, I strive to stay healthy so that I can relate to my family better. Family has always been very important to me and that’s why I love systems therapy. So many of our wounds are tied to a relationship (or a lack thereof) and at the same time, healing can only be found in relationships. Sometimes we are afforded an opportunity to heal a relationship and other times we have to find internal healing with the support of other relationships.

Most people come to therapy knowing that they have something they would like to address. It is my job to help you develop new ways of thinking and being, so that you can get beyond whatever is holding you back in your life. I use an integrative, wholistic approach which draws on the many disciplines in which I have training. Whether you enter therapy wanting to deal with anxiety, past trauma, or addiction, or you just want to function better in daily life, together we can work to meet your goals.

Life can be hard, but you don’t have to struggle alone. Every season of life brings with it a mixture of joy and pain as well as unique challenges and uncharted emotions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, unequipped or just in need of support and acceptance in a non-judgmental environment, you have come to the right place. I believe a safe and comfortable therapy environment in which you feel understood, respected and valued provides the best place for you to receive objective feedback to move toward growth. My counseling style is engaging, warm and client-focused with an approach that combines CBT and solution-focused therapy.

Do you find it difficult to be kind and compassionate toward yourself? Are you mired in self-criticism or paralyzed by self doubt? Have you felt overwhelmed by life? Do you feel disconnected from yourself and others? The Persian poet Rumi very wisely stated that the wound is the very place where the light enters. Often it is only through the vulnerability produced by our struggles that we increase our awareness, move toward growth, and are open to making changes. We all experience times that we find ourselves struggling to heal from wounds inflicted by what we encounter as we journey down the difficult road of life.

I am passionate about working with people from all walks of life who have experienced sexual addiction, pornography addiction, anxiety, depression, and childhood trauma. I genuinely desire to see people live in the fullness of life they were created to live in. Therapy can be a difficult journey to start because It involves opening up places of pain and difficulty, but It is my desire to provide a safe and welcoming environment for you to grow and heal.

I can be helpful to folks with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and grief experiences, addiction and co-dependency issues, parenting difficulties, sexual concerns, and career challenges. I work to establish a place where people can disclose and pursue their most personal challenges openly and truthfully. I understand the complex nature of these experiences and help individuals to improve their experiences in multiple areas of life. I have worked with persons who come from a wide expanse of socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

I work with clients who feel disconnected from others, themselves or life. I specialize in helping people with anxiety, including anxiety caused by trauma, whether it happened recently, in your far past, or both. Psychotherapy starts with the personal connection, so the first step is finding the therapist that is right for you. Once that is achieved, therapy can become a collaborative effort of determining goals, obstacles to reaching those goals, and the best paths forward. Ultimately, finding a therapist that you connect with is the biggest predictor of growth in therapy.

I am so glad you made it to my page today as you are deciding who to choose for your therapist. I would like to share with you a little about me and my approach. I have a passion for helping those in need find their inner strength and resilience. We all have it within us to find solutions to our problems; sometimes we just need some guidance. Are you at the point where you're saying "I just need to try harder" or "I used to be able to" is just not working? Just one small step is all it takes to begin the process of change.

I am glad you are taking the first step towards greater mental health by reviewing your choices for therapy. Therapy can be a positive, productive, and deeply satisfying experience. It can give you a chance to address concerns affecting your relationships, spiritual beliefs, and/or your happiness and peace of mind. Therapy may be active and solution-focused, or quiet and reflective. Allow me to assist you with exploring your understanding of yourself and others, and address specific solutions for the struggles experienced across a variety of relationships.

Taking the first step into therapy can be intimidating. Being vulnerable with a complete stranger isn't the most comforting thought. It is my goal to provide an environment that allows you to feel safe to show up and be authentic without fear of judgement. We are all human beings and need help from time to time. My approach to counseling is a collaborative effort aimed at increasing self-awareness and establishing a sense of empowerment in your own life. I focus on meeting clients where they are and facilitating positive change for a healthy, successful life.

Life is difficult, even in the best of times. However, having the courage to take over the reins to your life is the bravest thing you can do. I strive to offer a welcoming and safe presence where you will feel comfortable bring your authentic self into sessions. I consider our therapeutic relationship to be one in which I guide you into learning the skills to gain relief and take control over your own life. I believe that while you will see much growth and personal development in therapy, the real change happens when you practice these skills outside the therapy room.

There is no shortage of reasons one might begin the search for counseling. You might be experiencing anxiety and depression. You could be dealing with loss and grief. Perhaps you are going through a season of change or struggling to navigate a relationship. You might simply be looking to grow in your mental health. Whether you know exactly what is going on or you need help figuring it out, seeking out counseling is a brave step. Counseling offers a safe place to take the many parts of our lives and piece them together to make a clearer picture.

Counseling is much more than problem solving. It's an opportunity to acknowledge your strengths and build on them to help prepare for life's challenges, big and small. I believe that first and foremost, successful counseling is built on trust and connection. Many people who struggle are reluctant to reach out. If you are seeking help you've taken an important first step.