Self-Harming Therapists in Harrisonburg, VA

Welcome! I believe that as humans we grow and learn in meaningful ways from the struggles we face. Working through the painful and confusing parts of life to find new levels of understanding is a challenging but rewarding process. I enjoy working with college students, women, and adults interested in a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship within which we can explore your particular challenges and struggles more deeply. I strive to create a feeling of acceptance and safety for all clients, and let them set the pace. I enjoy humor and believe it has healing properties.

I understand that it takes considerable courage to ask for help, particularly when it comes to mental health and the stigma surrounding therapy. This means I am deeply committed to making the counseling experience as gentle and meaningful as possible for all my clients. I believe in the power of community and that the relationship between the client and counselor is an extremely important part of the healing process. Therefore, it is a privilege and a priority for me to be worthy of the trust of my clients; my goal is to offer people a judgment-free space that feels safe and genuine.

Do you struggle to trust yourself? Do you have a loud inner critic? Do you put others first and neglect your own needs? Human to human, being a person in this world is hard. When you explore the hard scary places, you deserve sincere and heartfelt care. As your therapist, I strive to create a non-judgmental and authentic relationship where you can uncover your most alive self and shed old unhealthy patterns. I specialize in young adults who live with the aftermath of trauma. I use trauma-informed approaches, including EMDR and parts work, to help you access safety in your body, the present moment, and reconnect to your true desires.

**I am excited to announce the creation of Harrisonburg Center for Healing! Please visit our Psychology Today profile to learn more about the group practice! As a solution-focused therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

**Accepting clients on a wait list!** Life can be overwhelming and confusing, beyond our external control. Having a safe space to process or begin an intentional healing journey can make life feel more manageable. In my counseling work, I believe our unique life stories, with all their complexities, are important and deserve to be held and heard. It’s powerful to know that while our stories are unique, we are not alone. I believe there are such healing properties in connection with others and community, something that counseling can help strengthen. I strive to empower my client’s as agents of their own change and growth.

~ Counseling tailored to your Personality, from a Christian Perspective, & with a Neurobiological understanding of Lasting Change ~ I understand firsthand the courage required to ask for help. You are taking an important step in pursuing counseling today. ~ I use my understanding of personality types to tailor counseling to your specific needs. We are all unique, and my desire is to help each person become more fully whomever they are meant to be. I use my knowledge of the various strengths and weaknesses of each personality type to help you build on your strengths, and to have compassion for your weaknesses.

In our lives, each of us will need the strength of another person, though, allowing another person to help takes great courage. As a therapist, I strive to provide a place where the courage to ask for help is met with compassion and patience as we embark on the path to healing together. I help clients with many common struggles (e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.) make the changes they want for a more fulfilling life. I work with children as young as 10 years old up through adults in individual, couple, and family settings.

Do you find that, if you really think about it, you’re unsure of who you are? Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed? Let’s work together to get your life back! My specialties include working with those who have suffered from abuse, neglect, sexual assault, or incest. Familial conflict, Borderline Personality Disorder, and trauma are areas that I have advanced training in as well. I hold a certification in DBT and have worked with people age 4-70. I am currently supervised and trained by Dr. Laura Copley, the only Ph.D. Certified Trauma Specialist in the Shenandoah Valley. Therapy dog, Luca, is a bonus (see gallery pictures).

There are times in life we need someone to help us navigate through our unsteady waters. I believe in the importance of mind, body, and soul health. The way we tell our life story, how we interact in our relationships, how we process/react to our feelings, and the meaning we give it all can have a huge impact on how we feel in our own skin. I want to help you create positive lasting changes within yourself and your relationships that will ultimately improve how you perceive your life.

YES, I am accepting clients. :) Are you passionate about your life? If not, how would you define a life worth living? The purpose of therapy is for you to more deeply discover who you are, what you want, and how to get it. You can absolutely learn the skills needed to better manage problematic thoughts and emotions, improve and deepen relationships, live more fully in the moment, and pursue your goals and dreams. You can discover how to grow your courage, and develop a more loving and compassionate relationship with yourself.

Currently anticipating several month wait for new clients.+ Office hours are M-Th, 8-5.+ As a counselor I work primarily with young adults, providing a therapeutic presence as you navigate challenging life transitions or past experiences. In your journey of self-discovery, I would be honored to walk alongside you. The world can feel big and scary at times, and it can feel so helpful to receive support from someone outside of your daily life. We can work together on identifying your needs, setting goals, developing coping skills, and building more positive relationships.

My counseling experience includes treating adolescents, adults, and couples. My practice is highly individualized to address common symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. I treat my clients as unique individuals with their own distinctive concerns impacting their lives. I greatly honor the trust I am given by them to help them navigate difficult times and unexpected life changes. I believe the decision to start the journey towards healing and reconciliation demonstrates a great deal of courage and resolve.

I have limited availability for new clients. We all experience difficulties, and counseling can be a place to receive support and healing amidst challenging times. Are you struggling with fear of the unknown, a relationship strain, overwhelming emotions, identity concerns, or new life circumstances? Do you want to increase your understanding of why you think, behave, and respond the way you do? Are you interested in exploring your inner world to make positive changes in your life?

I consider myself to be a trauma informed therapist with years of experience. I am a social worker, and with that I try to focus on the whole person and their environment. I strive to support you without judgment as you work towards your goals. A friend once complained to me that their therapist was a "tea time therapist" who would offer active listening and lots of positive regard, but did not challenge them or offer any feedback. My goal is to ask guiding questions that will lead you to new perspectives, and to foster self reflection so that you can leave this space feeling empowered and capable of change.

**Currently accepting new clients!** Redbud Counseling is made up of a small group of counselors, recently joined together to serve their community in mental health support and treatment options.

Now offering equine therapy add-on services! I am a licensed professional counselor in Harrisonburg, VA with specialized training for trauma counseling and equine therapy. I work with all ages, but particularly enjoy working with teens/young adults, as I feel they need the most support in learning about relationships, identity, and building a healthy sense of self as they move into adulthood. At any age, I enjoy taking that journey alongside my clients as they build awareness of their inner world impacts the relationships around them, so that they can connect back to the parts of self from which they may have disconnected.

Far too often, life does not go as we hope or plan. It is at those times that we can truly benefit from supportive others showing us that we are not alone, and the powerful experience of someone validating, while also empowering us to overcome, our challenges. I believe that therapy is a space that can offer this support, and I value the chance to help individuals navigate life's transitions and obstacles. Through my training and work experiences, I have learned to empathize, and work effectively, with college students and individuals across the lifespan, from diverse backgrounds, and with a wide-range of concerns.

Welcome! Reaching out is hard. I'm glad you're here. Throughout my career, I have assisted adults dealing with a wide range of issues, including anxiety and depression, trauma, grief, and identity development. I strive to create a genuine, trusting therapeutic alliance with my clients, where they can freely express themselves without fear of judgment. With extensive training and experience in client-centered and emotion-focused therapies, I offer a safe, warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment where clients can explore emotions, gain insight into thoughts and behaviors, and identify strengths to manage life's challenges.

I work with adults and adolescents who struggle primarily with trauma, anxiety, OCD and other severe mental illnesses. Life can be completely overwhelming and exhausting at times, and I want to be able to arm my clients with the tools they need to work through their challenges and become stronger as a result. I believe that therapy should be engaging, challenging, and fulfilling. Therapy with me will be a safe place for you to discuss and explore your thoughts and feelings. We will work through this together.