The standard “mhmm” and *therapist nod* is not the kind of treatment you’ll receive. 

I will show up as another human being experiencing the depths of life just like you! The concept of therapists being overwhelmingly formal or overly diagnostic is outdated and pathologizes people who struggle with very real and painful things. It is important to me you feel seen and heard as you are. As someone in the BIPOC community, I will not shy away from the larger issues and can empathize with feeling “other”ed, discriminated, misunderstood, mislabeled, and struggling with identity. Yes, we will talk about serious matters, but it is not all doom and gloom! Humor is a part of who I am, and sometimes what’s needed most is laughter. If this sounds like a good fit, let’s set up that first session!

As I work with you, I use a combination of different theories to help you meet your goals.

I use a Trauma-Informed Approach, Feminist Theory, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Relational Theory, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) to guide my practice. You’ve gotten this far because your behaviors or beliefs provided a sense of safety and self-regulation at one point.  Some of them may not work anymore or they’re no longer serving you in the way you want, so let’s work on meeting your needs in a different way. Additionally, I have worked in clinical research for many years at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine serving populations struggling with eating disorders, ADHD, and physical health issues. On top of doing trauma work, reframing negative thoughts, and giving you realistic coping skills, I put a large emphasis on educating you so you better understand why you are struggling with the things that cause you distress. I find that providing you with this type of knowledge is a form of empowerment!