Areas of Focus
◦ Mood & Anxiety Disorders
◦ Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
◦ Trauma & Crisis Stabilization
◦ Disability & Chronic Illness
◦ Neurodivergence & Developmental Differences
◦ Systemic Family Dynamics & Parenting
◦ Faith-Integrated & Holistic Wellness Care
◦ LGBTQ+ Affirming Care
◦ Psychoeducation
Whether managing chronic, debilitating stress or navigating major life transitions, I am here to help! I specialize in working with adolescents, adults, and families experiencing low-to-high acuity mental health symptoms and conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, self-injury, and suicidal ideation. My approach to client care is human-centered, evidence-based, and deeply attuned to both individual and systemic barriers to participation in and engagement with treatment. I collaborate with each client to develop a therapeutic alliance founded upon mutual respect, compassion, humility, and logic!
I support neurodivergent individuals and clients managing complex physical, neurological, or sensory conditions. Therapy often focuses on brainstorming practical problem-solving strategies, cultivating self-advocacy skills, and adapting virtual and physical environments to meet one’s physical and mental needs.
What Therapy With Me Is Like
My clinical style is warm, direct, and deeply collaborative. I do not sit in silence, expecting you to lead every session alone. Rather, I am active in the dialogue, asking relevant, thoughtful questions to help clients identify hidden patterns and formulate meaningful solutions. We work together as equal partners—you are the ultimate authority on your mind and experiences, and my role is to provide the clinical tools, structure, and safety needed to facilitate the changes you wish to experience!
My treatment approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Mindfulness, and Art Therapy. Whether we are building concrete skills or engaging in deep therapeutic processing and contemplation, your treatment will always be tailored to your unique strengths, interests, and goals.
Adolescent and Young Adult Therapy
Over the course of my career, I have worked extensively with adolescents and young adults to treat a broad range of mental health concerns, from day-to-day relational challenges to complex safety risks. Having provided treatment in school, community, outpatient, and intensive outpatient settings, I recognize that symptoms such as behavioral outbursts, social withdrawal, or perceived non-compliance may be coping strategies to manage overwhelming emotions, unaddressed trauma, or executive functioning challenges. I work with clients to learn healthy, effective strategies for managing their emotions and behaviors, maintaining fulfilling relationships, and achieving personal aspirations. I also recognize that many young people may feel skeptical of therapy or hesitant to begin—perhaps, due to past experiences—and I strive to create a treatment environment centered on transparency, curiosity, and non-judgmental acceptance.
Education and Professional Background
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois, with over a decade of dedicated clinical and specialized mental health practice. I earned my Master of Arts in Art Therapy degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 2013, and I have since worked with clients across the lifespan, from ages 3 to 100, through individual, family, and group therapy formats. My background includes work in outpatient therapy, education, community health, and accessibility program development. I also serve on the Board of Directors for KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) USA, which provides free, noncompetitive recreational services for youth with disabilities.
Getting Started
You do not need to have everything figured out or know exactly how to articulate your goals before our first session. It is completely normal to begin therapy simply knowing that something feels off or overwhelming. We will start right where you are! Together, we can work to better understand your current challenges, build a path forward, and create a therapeutic process that honors who you are and who you would like to become.