I began my work in the mental health profession in 1999 as a paraprofessional in the school system working with adolescents that had been deemed “severely emotional and behaviorally disordered”. I then went back to school obtaining a master's degree in experimental psychology. After this I worked as a Behavior Analyst in a Georgia state psychiatric hospital. After developing a deep appreciation for how beneficial therapeutic relationships could be for even the most extreme and chronic mental health concerns, I decided to complete my education with a Doctorate in clinical psychology.
 
I work from a place of non-judgment and authenticity. I have found that this approach generates feelings of mutual trust and motivation in which clients can pursue their goals in a genuine manner. My approach to therapy is integrative with a heavy reliance on client-centered methods. From the first interview my primary goal is to meet you where you are. My therapeutic orientation and direction is guided by empirical literature as well as your personality, culture, and individual goals. Existential humanistic philosophy and techniques influence my work and are woven deeply into the fabric of my personal philosophy. I also draw from mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral frameworks. I specialize in identity development in its many forms. This includes gender and sexual minority, religious/spiritual, and cultural identity. In addition, the big questions that we all face concerning the meaning and meaninglessness of life, isolation and belongingness, our personal responsibility and freedom, the inevitability of our death and grief over the death of others are areas that may be covered through our work together. Regardless of your presenting concern the ultimate goal in therapy is for you to achieve balance in your life and in yourself. This often begins with the management of symptoms that can range from depression, anxiety, phobias, or other forms of emotional instability that may interfere with healing on deeper, more sustainable, levels. I have found that many clients, at varying levels of readiness to change, respond well to mindfulness training because it is a practical and immediately useful tool to help resolve conflict, increase decision making skills, and navigate stress. I understanding that “mindfulness” has become a pop culture catch phrase. My perspective on mindfulness is deeply rooted in its spiritual, cultural, and historical lineage. These important aspects of the practice are not neglected in my understanding or mindfulness instruction. Whether I am a good therapeutic fit for you, or not, I thank you for taking the time to look at my webpage and I wish you well on your journey.