I entered the mental health field 17 years ago working in the community with people living with severe psychiatric illnesses. These clients like all, wanted to be heard and understood. It just took a different approach and patience. Others were recovering from substance use combined with bipolar and mood disorders. Many clients experience anxiety, and often obsessive thoughts. Learning what worked and what did not helped me meet their needs. I like to create a safe space for everyone, new and existing. I share at the end of an Intake, “just because you scheduled this first session does not mean I assume you have hired me”. I encourage clients to challenge and fire me if the fit is not there. You have to connect, you must feel comfortable to talk about anything and everything, yeah even sex, and drugs and even that secret you need to get off your chest. I believe a little humor helps to ease the process, though I am direct. I do not sugar coat and I do not encourage venting. I ask you to come to work on feeling better. This is collaboration, you and me. Clients who have found success with me tend to be here and now oriented, open to Mindfulness and ready to heal. I work with individual adults ages 18 years and older on topics of self-esteem, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive-disorders, depression, mood swings, sexual orientation and coming out, navigating difficult relationships, and a host of other mental health concerns. Helping clients create goals important to them is my top priority. Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies inform my practice.