Hello! I have over 25 years of experience and specialize in anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, self-regulation and recovery. I value in depth assessment and use that to inform our process. Unlike some types of supportive counseling, I offer education about how life experiences are hardwired into our brains, along with how this all aspects of life and our relationships. I also focus on teaching skills you can use to transform anxiety and stress into resilience, calm, and increased joy. To do that, I use mindfulness, somatic/body-based skills, brainspotting, neurofeedback, Rapid Resolution therapy and nature-based connection.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS! With over 35 years of mental health and substance abuse counseling experience, I believe that anyone can make changes necessary to improve their mood, relationships, and quality of life. My focus is on helping you, your partner, and your family implement practical strategies to solve problems, reach goals, and create lasting change. Areas of focus include helping couples improve communication and avoid patterns which result in conflict, and helping people with behavior, anger, or mood issues. I work with you in a safe, compassionate, and confidential environment, and respect of your needs and desires.

I have many years experience helping people overcome life obstacles and interpersonal struggles. Clients report significant benefit when they seek help dealing with transforming ideas of self that result from trauma, relationship changes, chronic illness, grief & loss, gender dysphoria, coming out. I have many years experience working with young children, adolescents, and families.

20 years of experience and proven results. "Relationships, like life, are wonderful and sometimes terrifying emotional rollercoasters. Finding the right therapist to help guide you with straightforward and helpful advice to heal from past traumas, in order to succeed and be happy, is an important part of that ride. The main purpose of therapy is to help people find the excitement in the adventure of effectively exploring who they are at their core, and to teach proven strategies that modify our beliefs and behaviors to achieve true fulfilment and joy, love and belonging."

I enjoy helping others on their path toward wellness. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can share your story and find ways to heal and move forward. I treat adults holistically and frequently work with those who suffer from a variety of problems including depression, anxiety, abuse, trauma, and relationship issues.

With nearly forty years of experience, I've helped clients with a wide range of issues: family of origin/childhood issues, grief and loss, life transitions, communication skills, relationship concerns. Whether working with a couple or with an individual navigating relationship difficulties, I have addressed everything from relationship dissatisfaction/boredom, affairs, communication difficulties, sexual/intimacy issues, etc. I was a civilian counselor on military bases for several years, and have a clear understanding of the unique pressures and challenges facing service members and families.

I work with individual adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families to unlock potential, improve communication, and enhance a sense of closeness, balance and harmony in their lives. I assist clients in overcoming barriers to joy and fulfillment. When necessary and appropriate, I work closely with other professionals to provide a cohesive treatment approach.

I am passionate about my clinical work. With over 30 years experience as a licensed psychologist and a certified sex therapist I approach my work with the knowledge that a trusting connection and a safe space form the foundation from which growth and change occur. I listen with compassion and facilitate dialogue between us.

The staff and clinicians at Asheville Counseling & Wellness Center are dedicated to improving the quality of life of our Clients. We offer a multitude of treatment modalities in order to provide the best care possible. Our clients can expect to receive effective and efficient treatments, while we provide the best possible client/clinician experience. Our focus is helping the public achieve health, healing and well-being. We look forward to working with you and your family.

Some common reasons why people come to me are: feeling stuck in a pattern of negative thinking or behavior, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, unresolved trauma, difficulty coping with new challenges or life transitions. I am very comfortable and love working with clients who are struggling to deal with adjusting to change- no matter how big or small. I also have personal and clinical experience with adapting to change related to health and short-term or chronic illness and disability, single parenting, codependency, sexual abuse and trauma. My history deeply informs my work as a therapist.

There are a lot of new pressures in your world right now. Things are changing quickly and there's a lot of uncertainty. "What if I crumble under all of these pressures?" You appear calm on the outside but on the inside you're wondering if you're really cut out for this. Anxiety about all of the uncertainty and your ability to manage it is real. It makes it difficult to think clearly and perform effectively, let alone be present in your day to day life. What can you control during these times of sudden change? You're ready for a mindset change - to go from reacting to taking charge of your life in this new environment.

For the past 15 years I've worked exclusively assisting couples in understanding and correcting missteps in their marriage or primary relationship - and helping them to discover how to establish rich, fulfilling, and solid connections and communication. If your marriage isn't feeling as stable as you'd like, you're likely experiencing some heartache, worry, or some resentment. Having intense emotions in this situation is certainly normal, but they also make effective communication even more difficult... right when it's most needed. Using the expertise of a couples counselor in these times can be a very worthwhile investment.

I know it can take courage to seek therapy and I am here to help. I would be honored to guide and assist you towards positive change. I have been enjoying providing Psychotherapy in Asheville since 2000. I provide caring and professional therapy for Individuals (Adults, Adolescents & Children), Couples and Families. I am happy to serve our diverse community including the LGBT community. I have extensive experience working with anxiety disorders, depression, parenting skills, couples conflicts, life transitions, divorce/separation, post traumatic stress, ADHD, bi-polar, and many other issues.

Do you feel as if your mind is constantly spinning? Are you avoiding or running from emotions and thoughts? Are you simply doing and not living? You are finally ready to unpack distressing things from your past. It has become clear that your past is not buried but may be contributing to your current feelings and experiences. Do you wish those old patterns would change for the better? Your way forward seems to be full of setbacks and you may have trouble moving forward. Looking at others you envy how easy their lives seem. You are a brave soul to be here and desire for things to be different. Now is the time.

Life can be full of obstacles and one wants to ensure that we do not stand in our own way of success. Are you tired of your own thoughts, moods, and behaviors either stressing you out, making you depressed, increasing your anxiety, making you easily angered, and/or disturbing your sleep? If so, I would love to partner with you on your journey to overcoming these patterns that tend to be direct obstacles in feeling your best and reaching your absolute potential.

If you are having the same arguments over and over again, you are not alone. I will be with you every step of the way. I use Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples to interrupt repetitive Cycles where one person reaches out in frustration, causing their partner to withdraw and hide out. Couple Therapy doesn't have to be torture, and there doesn't have to be a "bad guy". I have helped couples with a range of issues from Domestic Abuse to infidelity to communication issues. I even use humor sometimes, but we don't waste a moment! I welcome couples who have been in couple therapy before and have almost given up.

We all want to feel good about how we show up in the world everyday, awake and happy at home, work, and out there in the world. I work with individuals and parents. I specialize in working with men's issues, anxiety and depression, relationship challenges, trauma and addiction, and life transitions such as divorce or career change. I work with couples struggling with conflict and parenting issues seeking greater connection with each other and their families. You can get back on track to being more clear in your decisions, having more energy, sleeping better, playing better, and loving better.

I work to create a safe space for individuals and families to share and grow. I understand the importance and necessity to heal ourselves in relationship to our world around us. And at the same time, the necessity to push the status quo of our environments and systems that may be causing us harm both individually and collectively. As a participant in activism and organizing work, I understand the emotional, psychological, and overall toll that this work can take on an individual, a family, and/or a collective.

"The journey of thousand miles must begin with one step" - Lao Tzu. In a battle with your emotions or body? I am a DBT-certified therapist (have practiced DBT for 14 years), and an Intuitive Eating certified therapist. I see therapy as a journey we take together; you’re the driver and I'm the helpful passenger or tour guide :) I have been a licensed therapist for 14+ years, working with people with mood disorders, emotion regulation challenges, body image issues, and issues of race and gender. I want to provide support as you create a new chapter in your life, gain insight about yourself, and help you develop healthy coping skills.

If you are looking for support on your journey of self-discovery or dealing with some stressors, I would love to help! I enjoy working with individuals who may be struggling and need an empathetic ear. I believe everyone can improve their sense of well-being with some support. I enjoy doing in person sessions as well as telemedicine. All sessions can be scheduled by contacting me directly.