My Ideal Client

My ideal client is first and foremost someone who is motivated to engage and willing to try on new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. Moreover, they are ready to put in the work needed to make the changes they wish to see in themselves. Clients with this attitude often see the most growth and even have fun in the process! I work with clients from all different walks of life, age groups, religious affiliations, races, and backgrounds. I greatly enjoy working with couples and individuals (from adolescents and young adults on) needing help with the following: emotion regulation (anxiety/stress management), Christian faith-based questions/concerns, existential questions/questions, attachment issues/relational conflict, premarital work, identity development, life transitions, and women’s issues.  I also enjoy working with clients facing questions about their career, finding work-life balance, coping with workplace dynamics, and/or anxiety/stress management. For each of these areas, I draw on my research, training, and clinical experience to meet each client's unique needs. 

My approach to therapy is informed by my doctoral research. I find that good therapy stems from a solid philosophical foundation that defines what it means to be a flourishing human being. My research addresses this question by turning to ancient and medieval moral philosophy as well as positive and clinical psychology. I find three important truths about us and our flourishing. First, we all are created for connection and we all have the capacity to change, develop, and grow no matter what our history or current circumstances may be. Second, research in both moral philosophy and clinical psychology continue to reveal the transformative and life-enriching power of practicing empathy and compassion. For this reason, I believe a flourishing life is one rich in the practice of compassion. Third, my research in both disciplines point to the importance of character strengths, such as temperance, humility, courage, prudence, and charity. Character strengths help us to live in the mean rather than the extremes and to find balance between mind and heart so that we can live more wholeheartedly. In light of these truths, my approach to therapy utilizes three clinically-proven modalities that I find best promote our ability to flourish: Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Committment Therapy. Each of these modalities offer crucial skillsets that create a solid pathway to healing, growth, and wholehearted living. 

In addition to a solid philosophical foundation, I find that good therapy also treats the person as a whole: mind, body, and spirit. Given my background in philosophy and religion, as well as my faith as a Christian, I believe that the spiritual dimension of the human person is integral to who we are and how we heal. For this reason, I make sure to acknowledge both the past and current spiritual practices of my clients. I also make it a priority to remain sensitive to the divisions between the spiritual and the psychological, so as to neither over-spiritualize psychological issues nor over-psychologize spiritual issues. Moreover, I believe therapy is first and foremost about creating the safest space possible for clients. For this reason my goal is never to impose my own beliefs but merely to remain sensitive to and open to discussing spirituality. I enjoy working with and learning from clients from various spiritual backgrounds and traditions.  

As a final piece of my approach, counseling is something I consider an honor, a privilege, and a joy. I am humbled by the opportunity to know each person's unique life story and to help them carry their burden, whatever it may be. It brings me joy to be able to compassionately walk beside others as they try on new ways of thinking, feeling, and being. My hope for each person is that they begin to lean into their potential to lead a flourishing, wholehearted life. 

I work currently as an "Out of Network" provider. I will happily provide invoices for you to submit to your insurance provider for reinbursement.  Session fees range between $100-$200 depending on the duration of each session and the needs of each client. Please reach out via email or phone for more information. I provide phone consultations free of charge!