My Mission as Your Therapist
I believe each one of us is able to transform our challenges into opportunities to learn and grow, creating a full and satisfying life. It is my privilege to partner with you to help you overcome your stuck places and experience hope and peace.
I believe we all have our struggles, but these struggles do not need to define us; we have power when we decide we can respond differently and learn ways to control our behaviors and reactions. When you make the transition to focusing on what you can control, the possibilities are endless, and you can heal.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I believe we do not exist in isolation, and all we do and how we feel is in response to the relationships, society, and world around us. I encourage exploring all the influences in your life, past and present. Using a therapeutic relationship as a model, I hope to help you see how to form better relationships with yourself, others, and your world.
A Bit About Therapy
I create a compassionate, safe and non-judgmental environment where you are able to be vulnerable, process experiences, and challenge yourself to bravely confront unhelpful patterns and cope with feelings of sadness, anger, resentment, guilt and shame. It’s not easy work, and there is no magic wand, but your efforts to make small changes can bring life-altering results. I will partner with you to identify your goals, and you will always know what you are working on. I am passionate about my work, and I show up; I ask that you do the same. Others describe me as calm, down to earth, easy to talk to, and caring. I use humor and I strive for a balance between lightness and digging deep.
My Background and Training
I earned a Masters of Science of Education in Psychological Services from the University of Pennsylvania, and followed this with a certification in Marriage and Family Therapy at the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center. Over the years I completed Adoption Certification through Rutgers University, extensive training in Trauma focused CBT with the CARES Institute, and Postpartum depression and anxiety specialization through the Postpartum Stress Center. I am an AAMFT Clinical Fellow and AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor.
I have been a practicing therapist for almost 20 years, and has worked with adults, youth, and families in a variety of environments, from inpatient facilities to outpatient programs, small group practice, in-home counseling and school based services. I specialize in working with relational struggles and past traumas and abuse, and has extensive experience working with chronic mental health, depression, anxiety, addictions, chronic illness, grief and loss, attachment, parenting, postpartum depression and anxiety, and couples.
And bit about me. I have been married for almost 20 years and have three children. I share my home with several fur babies, and have an abiding love for labs. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, knitting, hiking, cooking, and spending time with family.
Association
- AAMFT