I am a licensed clinical social worker with over ten years of experience working in trauma, dual diagnosis, and addiction. I like to take a humanistic, client-centered approach that explores conceptualizing your experience, considering behaviors or maladaptive coping mechanisms (such as substance use, self-harming, emotional dysregulation, etc.) to be learned skills of survival and not who the person is. I maintain the belief that the client is trying their best, no matter how they show up to session. I invite your messy, your discomfort, and the dark pieces that you work to hide, in addition to your successes, joy, and excitement. I believe that we all have darkness and light and it is important to be compassionate to both of those sides. My experience is wide in various diagnoses, including PTSD, complicated grief and loss, gender identity, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, suicidality, autism, addictions, personality disorders, OCD, as well as relationship issues, transition/change, and meaning and purpose. I like to consider the different layers of each person and recognize that we are complicated creatures. Therefore, I like to adapt my approach based on what you need and not recite a list of cliched coping skills. You know the ones…”have you tried deep breathing?” My primary focus is to meet you where you are and support you in working towards your goals that you identify for yourself. I am here as your advocate, your support. I’m like the inflatable gutter bumpers at the bowling alley. I’m not going to do the work for you, but I will help you and believe in your ability to get yourself where you need and want to be. I love my work, and also find passion in writing (I hold a Master’s of Fine Arts in creative writing), and am an avid equestrian. In my spare time, I can be found with the only man I will ever tattoo on my body—my horse, Henry. I really look forward to working with you—you are doing an amazing first step by searching for a therapist that matches your needs. I hope that you give yourself MAJOR CREDIT for the hard work you are currently doing as you take this necessary step in your healing process.