Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapists in Asheville, NC

For over 30 years I have been 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, and coming out as LGBTQ. I utilize a variety of approaches including narrative, DBT, ACT , attachment-focused therapy, internal family systems and trauma informed practices. I now am seeing clients in person as well as virtually.

Anxiety, Addiction, or Depression might have you feeling like you've lost touch with the life you really want. You might feel alone in all this, but I promise you're not. I help people just like you learn concrete tools and strategies to achieve the life you want. It's ok if you aren't sure what you want. We can figure it out together and build a roadmap for how to get there. The most important thing that a client needs is a therapist who is nonjudgmental, compassionate, relatable, and down to earth - so I work hard to embody these qualities.

We do the best we can to work through life's challenges, but sometimes get stuck, through fear, depression or old patterns of adaptive behavior that no longer serve us. I strongly believe it's possible to realize your natural tendency toward balance and wholeness. Together we'll address roadblocks to your healing, accessing parts of you which may be sleeping, hiding, working less efficiently or effectively than they might. Our work combines practical strategies for immediate situations, and bringing acceptance and compassion to parts that carry old wounds, allowing relief and space for joy and greater life satisfaction to emerge.

I'm here to create a safe space for people to explore parts of themselves and their relationship with their mind and body. I offer a unique blend of psychotherapy that incorporates somatic, trauma-informed healing practices with cognitive behavioral therapeutic techniques. I have experience with using evidence-based therapeutic models (CBT, DBT, ACT ) to effectively treat the spectrum of mental health issues.

**Availability for Telehealth Counseling** I work with dynamic women and men who want to do big things with their lives yet experience mood and health challenges that keep them from fully realizing their potential. I help them get centered, balanced, and healthy so they're happier, more vital ... and more fulfilled. I work with the "highly sensitive person" who struggles with self- acceptance , guilt, and shame. Additionally, I work with people facing health challenges, helping them regain the capabilities they've lost and vigor they once enjoyed.

Are you feeling unworthy of the life you are living or maybe incompetent in the role that you have? Maybe it feels like every thought that crosses your mind is a spiraling rabbit hole of worst-case scenarios, and it’s creating a barrier to reaching your fullest potential. Has it felt like you’ve been on an emotional roller coaster of sadness, anxiety, or confusion and you feel like the ride is never going to end? Perhaps an unsettling sense of wanting to isolate or build walls within your close relationships. You always make sure everyone else is taken care of first; however, you know it’s time for something different. Time for you.

As humans, I believe we need a soft place to land. Being in the world brings with it a variety of feelings, thoughts, and sensations, but often we struggle to find space in our lives to process these experiences. I believe the connection and safety offered through individual therapy creates an opportunity to name the parts of us that feel painful or confusing or joyful — to allow us to move toward greater self- acceptance by noticing and being heard.

I am an experienced psychotherapist who provides therapy to individuals, couples & families in North Carolina and Florida with a variety of struggles. I am a Social Justice Oriented & LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapist & practice anti-racist principles. I specialize working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction & relationship distress. My services encourage increased personal happiness & health & emotional connection. I believe that as people become more accepting of themselves, & more aware of their thoughts, emotions & actions, they are more capable of making decisions which lead to happiness & fulfillment.

Cue the anti depressant commercial with the cartoon figure, the tiny rain cloud, and the narration 'feeling sad, lost, lonely, trouble sleeping, anxious, etc etc?' ..But for real, life can be a real ass kicker sometimes. Or maybe it's been so long, you can't remember the last time you weren't feeling overwhelmed or empty. Either way, whatever your struggles, you don't have to do it alone. And I'm glad you're looking for someone to help you.

Have you noticed difficulty putting yourself and your needs first? Do you become resentful of close friends and family members? Have you found yourself shutting down emotionally? Do you get upset with loved ones when your needs aren’t met? Uncomfortable emotions, conflict in interpersonal relationships, and feelings of isolation can be overwhelming. Feelings of inadequacy or of “being stuck” may creep up on us when difficult situations accumulate in our lives.

Real change is possible. Successful therapy explores human life in its fullest sense - what we do, what we think, and what we feel - while being grounded in the deep experience of living in a human body. My primary therapeutic framework is called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which provides a rich, evidence-based, blend of mindful and somatic interventions, along with a strong cognitive and behavioral orientation. Together, my clients and I examine our deepest values, and how those values are expressed in how we live each day. Our lives are not problems to be solved - they are opportunities to flourish.

There may be points in our lives where circumstances, relationships or life events are impacting our well-being. My goal is to be a collaborative partner and a support as we navigate through the process of self-discovery, recovery and healing. It takes courage to take the first step and I want to respect and honor the vulnerability that comes with the process. However, there is hope and each client brings their inherent strengths and experience to the process.

Welcome. I believe that you inherently have all you need within you to heal, and together we will discover & utilize it. I sit with those who are moving through transitions in life, navigating relationship or family conflict, processing loss & grief, or have survived unwanted sexual experiences & trauma during childhood or as an adult. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or are questioning your self-worth or how to move forward, we will uncover ways to bring ease, peacefulness and growth through building self- acceptance and self-trust as a foundation.

If you’re on a journey of coming back to yourself, your body, and your wholeness, you’ve come to right place. If you’ve been feeling that it’s time to unpack the traumas you’ve been carrying for too long, or if you’re ready to get to know all of the parts of you, even the ones you tend to look away from in shame, you’ve come to the right place. You have the power to create a life you are excited about—a life you're fully here for. You have the power to embrace, heal, and live into every facet of yourself. I would be honored to support you to open your hands to the power you hold.