Life has a way, when we become comfortable with the status quo and believe we can see the path ahead, of breaking our complacency and disproving our clairvoyance. When crisis so cracks our identity, we question our aspirations and whether we are using our gifts. That time came for me while going through the major life transition of a divorce, as my children left the nest. I had spent over 20 years practicing law, creating a home for my family and being a wife and mother. Our home was sold, my kids left for college and I found myself single. During this soul-searching, painful period of change, I took stock of my life and explored what the next stage could bring.

I realized that, while I was drawn to the cognitive challenge of litigation and appellate law, what had brought me the most fulfillment was connecting with and helping people. Whether as a mother, daughter, partner, friend or attorney, it was making a difference in someone’s life that brought me the most meaning. I’m so grateful to have rediscovered my purpose in the profession of counseling.

I’m real and a little unorthodox at times. I don’t think that therapy should be some stale, clinical experience. As I get to know you, you are going to get to know me, as well. I’m transparent and this is a two-way relationship. You will never wonder if you are sitting with an actual person. We will laugh, we may cry, and I won’t mind if you drop an “f-bomb” or two. I’m going to be honest with you; life sucks sometimes and I’m not here to sugar coat it. I’ve suffered, we all have; it’s what unites us as humans. I will never presume to know more about you than you know about yourself; you are the expert on you. But I will challenge you, because I care enough to tolerate the awkward. I am not easily intimidated, shaken or shocked, and I never judge. Judgment has absolutely no place in therapy. Ever. I am all in, totally committed to your growth. I will be your guide, your accountability partner, your biggest cheerleader. Your transformation is my passion.

Your story matters and I want to understand it. I want to know how you show up in your life cognitively, affectively, and behaviorally. I dig in to who you are; I want all of the data because I’m genuinely curious to learn how your history and experience coalesced to bring you here. Of course I want to see symptom relief, but I more want to eradicate the root cause of the issue. It is my job to help you heal from the inside, not just to teach you skills. I’m analytical, pragmatic, logical, results-driven, solution-focused, and research oriented. My work is founded in attachment theory, trauma research and neuroscience.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. For that reason, I am trained in and draw from various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness and meditation. I understand that life can be difficult, messy and uncomfortable. And I know it can improve with effort, dedication and collaboration. I will offer you a safe, compassionate space to become you, to reach your potential, to create your best life. I will help you to accept what you cannot change, respond to what you can, and make courageous choices that support your core values.