Hello!
Originally from the rural Midwest, my younger years were formed by experiences with neurodivergence, queerness, and multiculturalism against a backdrop of small-town stiffness and disdain. I and so many beautiful, incredible human beings were made to take up less space and be less themselves in the name of not rocking the boat. Moving to North Carolina in high school, going to East Carolina University for Sociology as an undergrad, I became more convinced the wider my world grew: people need spaces where they are safe. So I pursued a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and after graduating from Capella University, I’ve dived into working with individual clients as well as couples and family units. I am a deep believer that we are all the sum of everyone and everything we hold dear, and that also means we’re all holding things we never asked for; I’m here to help you choose for yourself what you want to hold and what it’s time to let go of.
Counseling with Me
Being a person can be so hard sometimes. No matter what kind of person you are, or what kind of person you want to be, the daily processes of being alive come with a lot of challenges and confusion. Whether you’re an adult trying to understand yourself and break old patterns, a teenager struggling to navigate life’s rapid changes, a parent wanting to feel less self-doubt, or a couple who wants to reconnect and rebuild – sometimes when you’re feeling lost, or like you’re failing, the support and listening ear of a teammate can be the difference that tips the balance in your favor. That’s where I come in; I would be honored to hear you and be on your team.
I understand that trust is earned, not expected, and that it may take time to feel comfortable enough to be open with me. We will work at your pace, and with your full participation. If you tell me something isn’t working, my response will be, “Then let’s try something else!” My goal is that the longer we work together, the lighter your burden will feel, and the less frustration and dread you’ll experience in your day-to-day life. Of course, I cannot change your circumstances; however, I can do my best to help you cope with them in a safe and healthy way.
Specialties
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OCD (ERP and ACT approaches)
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Sex Positive, Kink Allied
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Ethical non-monogamy and polyamory
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Childhood trauma, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse
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Parenting and family dynamic counseling, including roommates
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Marriage and relationship counseling
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Bullying, at any life stage
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Body image issues and dysphoria
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LGBTQIA+ community, including sexuality and gender identity exploration
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Attachment styles and wounds
Modalities & Approaches
My approach integrates several different models of therapy – I have training in Internal Family Systems, Satir Experiential, and Collaborative Language, as well as relational influences from Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method. In plain English, this means I adopt a compassionate, loosely-structured, and relational approach. I emphasize understanding and integrating “parts” of our internal selves, fostering self-awareness and promoting emotional healing. I focus on creating a safe, trusting environment to explore emotions, improve communication, and strengthen relational bonds. I prioritize empathy, validation, and a back-and-forth dialogue that facilitates growth, without giving blame or judgment a chance to derail our progress. I may be the expert on therapy, but you will always be the expert on you, and the magic lies in that combined expertise.