Therapists in Hanover, VA

As the demands of life are constantly changing and the feelings of uncertainty loom over your day to day activities, one may feel overwhelmed , stuck, anxious, irritated and annoyed to name a few. These feelings may make the simplest of task, seem so difficult. Please know, you are not alone. If you can relate to any of the sentiments above and ready to receive support, allow me the opportunity through various interventions to quiet the mind, so that you can connect to you.

I have a doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy from Virginia Tech and specialize in treating youth and their families dealing with difficult issues including self-harming behaviors and other debilitating symptoms or issues. I have 15 years of experience and have provided services in many capacities including inpatient, outpatient, psychiatric triage, substance abuse treatment, and medical family therapy. I have specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), medical family therapy, and intensive evidence-based treatments. I am laid back and provide a down to earth, yet no-nonsense approach to therapy and look forward to speaking with you!

Are you in your darkest hour because of debilitating thoughts? Are you suffering with the anguish of loss? Are you scared there might be no way out? Do you want nothing more than to be free of that pain? If so, I am in tune with how painful this journey can be. What lifted me up and out of my pain were the helping hands and kind words of another person. Since that moment, I have devoted myself and my gifts to becoming that same helping hand for others. I used the help I received as a guide of the light I want to share wherever it may be needed.

I help children, adolescents, and teens who are having difficulty managing emotions, struggling with behavior, and/or going through changes in the home. I believe that children can not only communicate issues through play but also learn new skills the best when play therapy techniques are intertwined within their therapy experience. Many adolescents and teens benefit from a neutral sounding board that can provide support and new perspectives.

I AM NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME. Over 25 years of experience with those who are grieving, people at end-of-life, older clients, and people in crisis have shown me life events occur in the context of personal story. My goals are to create a safe place to share that story, and to facilitate the client experiencing the story with increased awareness, compassion and respect. We will explore and celebrate strengths, and through a multitude of interventions ranging from getting to know the client's system, education, mindfulness, reflection and dream work, find ways to enhance the client's strengths and wisdom.

Sometimes all you need is a session or two. Or maybe you need more. We got you either way. The research indicates that a single, focused therapy session can be highly effective for 70-80% of people. It's not that everyone can solve all of their problems with one session of counseling, but we can focus on you getting the most out of each session. You walk away with action steps and the confidence to see what happens before deciding whether or not you need to schedule another session. I have experience with anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, mental illness, you name it. I am also glad to work with clients longer term.

You are the expert on your experiences, and I have a genuine interest in knowing your story & working collaboratively with you. I will take the time to acknowledge, understand, and address all aspects of your cultural identity and how this can influence your wellbeing. My warmth and compassion create a safe and non-judgmental environment to help you process significant past events and increase personal insight and awareness. During our time together, you will gain practical strategies to break cyclical habits and develop coping skills to manage adversity & achieve your goals.

Life can feel like a tremendous gift or an incredible challenge - and sometimes both feel true in the same day. Therapy can help by providing space and support to better understand your own life, and how to align it more closely with your individual nature and purpose. This inquiry into who we really are is often catalyzed by difficult circumstances: when life as we knew it changes, or needs to change. Seasons of flux can become pathways to identity development, growth, and spiritual maturity. Undertaking life-rebuilding on purpose, with support, can create a trustworthy new source of self-confidence and increased life force.

Whatsoever things are TRUE ... on those things we should concentrate. So, what is true? The truth is that you CAN replace your negative self-image with a positive one, you CAN heal from childhood pain and trauma, you CAN repair and improve relationships, you CAN overcome depression and anxiety, and you CAN write the next chapter of your life differently. The lie is that nothing can change! Life is a journey that can be redirected at any time with the right help, so you are not trapped in your present situation. We can combine your desire and courage with my knowledge, skills, and empathy, to make these truths your new reality.

I specialize in working with children, adolescents, couples, parents, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. I have experience working with ADHD, depression and anxiety, parenting skills, sexuality and gender expression, and relationship skill building.