Therapists in Murphy, NC

Partnering in the healing process with my clients is such an honor for me. I work with a variety of issues, with a focus on healing from trauma, or adverse life experiences. I can also help with life changes and stress, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders, phobias, low self-esteem, relationship issues, secondary traumatic stress, complex trauma and dissociative "disorders." I work hard to meet the needs of each individual, providing a safe, non-judgmental, empathic space essential for healing. I am up front and "real," while highly nurturing, and caring; I believe in the transformative effects of the therapeutic relationship.

You have BIG feelings and always have. You are sensitive to your environment, tuned into the subtle nuances and energies of the people/world around you. You feel it in your gut. You sense it in your body. You were bullied, shamed, or invalidated for these feelings growing up – told you were too sensitive. You learned to doubt, squash, numb, or project those feelings onto other people and things as a way to stay safe in a world that doesn't have time for such things. You people-please, overwork, over-think, detach. You run from your feelings until they suddenly consume you. Disconnect or engulfed. You crave harmony inside and out.

Whether you have experienced a recent setback or are trying to come to terms with an ongoing struggle, my goal is to be an unbiased listener providing reflective and direct feedback to help you gain insight and clarity. I am a gender-affirming therapist specializing in working with those in a life transition, struggling with their identity, or looking to evolve from the way they were raised. In couples counseling, I work with monogamous, open/poly, and kink relationships.

I support long-term couples struggling with conflict and disconnection who may feel unsure how to solve their challenges or rekindle their loving dynamic. I help couples improve communication skills, identify and express underlying vulnerable emotions, and ultimately deepen their intimacy and romantic connection. I also support folks with dysfunctional family and/or religious histories, who are interested in alternative healing approaches. This may entail witnessing the pain and patterns of the past, and then potentially reclaiming and reimagining their relationship with spirituality.

Things are not going the way you want. Maybe you're having the same struggles you've had before. You're stressed, anxious, unhappy. You have many responsibilities, you're frustrated, under so much pressure. But, at the end of the day, you don't have the relationship or life you want. It seems easier for other people. You may be feeling alone or lonely. It eats away at your confidence. In private you might question your self-worth, think you're not good enough. Maybe others think you have it all together, or they rely on you. It is especially confusing if you are successful in other areas. You are used to fixing things on your own.

Sometimes it gets exhausting trying to manage all the thoughts and feelings in your brain! That is where I come in. I have over 30 years of experience helping people navigate their own mind. It isn't always easy or clear what the journey will be, but I can help guide you in getting to the place you'd like to be. People naturally need support and motivation to make changes in their lives. They also need concrete tools that can help them to successfully make those changes. My work with you will be to give you those tools. I work with individuals through the life span to create the change that you want to see!

My diverse clinical experience has led me to embrace working with kids through adults; as well as families and couples. My clients are seeking therapy to navigate difficult life transitions, create repair after impactful life experiences, navigate complex relationships, regain their ability to experience a full range of emotion and have accountability without shame. Often, they are aware and understand what should be helpful to them, but struggle to turn that knowledge into change. We will work together to explore your relationship with yourself, how it developed and how it is impacting your ability to live a fulfilled life.

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Frustrated and struggling in relationships? Have you been noticing that your past trauma keeps popping up, especially when you least expect it, and all you want is to gain your control back? No matter your reason for seeking support, we will collaborate to establish a plan that meets your desires and goals. My intention is to create a compassionate and empowering space for us to explore the responses and experiences you have that have become too uncomfortable, and support you in doing the work to ultimately free you from the hold of your past trauma and receive the healing you’ve been waiting to receive.