I want my clients to feel comfortable talking with me about their struggles. I provide empathy and exploratory questions to develop a shared understanding of their struggles and goals for therapy.

My approach is open-minded and includes a welcoming and calm tone/demeanor, a supportive and understanding atmosphere, and motivation.

I provide individual and couples psychotherapy to adults and adolescents. I use an integration of various treatment modalities within a psychodynamic framework, providing my clients with the flexibility of treatment specific techniques while maintaining a focus on the therapeutic relationship and treatment alliance. Having healthy, positive relationships is integral to all aspects of our lives. I treat clients with mild to severe disorders and work in collaborative relationships with psychiatrists when medications are needed. I specialize in treating mood issues, anxiety issues, relationship, family issues, trauma, and sport psychology (performance enhancement, injury recovery, etc.). Deciding to begin therapy and selecting a therapist can feel like a daunting task. Whenever we step outside of our comfort zones, it feels awkward and sometimes even scary. However, the old cliché is true, we cannot grow without change. Finding a therapist who can support you on your path towards growth is possible. If you are ready to receive the support and accountability needed in getting unstuck, feel free to contact me via phone or email.

The decision to begin therapy and actually schedule an intake appointment is the hardest step in the process. For many, making that first phone call can take years. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, obsessive compulsion (OCD), relationship issues, or the impact of addiction, the process can feel overwhelming. You don't have to navigate it alone. Helping you feel at ease during this process is one of our top priorities. At Premier Wellness Center, we utilize a client-centered approach to meet your individual needs. Finally get unstuck from your anxious thoughts! You need a break, and you deserve therapy that's tailored to you. Some of the evidence-based practices that we utilize are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure response prevention (ERP), and trauma-informed strategies, among others.

I provide a client-centric approach that leans into compassion so you can feel safe and secure. Through this space, we can get curious and explore areas where you feel stuck or wounded. From here, we can help you shift toward greater health and wellness. At its core, my work focuses on your relationships, including how they impact you and how you impact them. This helps us both widen our understanding and pinpoint areas of concern.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Virginia. Born and raised in Iowa, I attended Iowa State University, graduating with a double major in Child, Adult, and Family Services and Spanish. I have traveled and lived in many places throughout the world, and have developed an appreciation for the differences we all have, but also the similarities that unite us. I received my master’s degree from Rutgers University. In my 18 years of work experience, I have worked supporting children, adolescents, and families. That experience includes working with trauma, depression, anxiety, school related anxiety and refusal, conflict between parents and children, involvement in the juvenile justice system, immigration stress and trauma, and crisis intervention. I have experience in child and adolescent therapy, family therapy, parenting, group therapy, and school-based mental health. I meet the child and family where they are on their journey and works collaboratively to develop realistic goals that will improve functioning in all environments. I utilize a strengths-based, solution-focused and family systems approach. I encourage children and families to share their culture and integrate the unique cultural experiences of families into treatment. I enjoy spending time outside, watching movies, reading books, and crocheting. I also enjoy various forms of exercise, like weightlifting and yoga. I enjoy watching (and sometimes playing) sports. I bring creativity and energy to my practice and am mindful and strategic about interventions used when working with children and families. Mental health is an important part of our being. Just like we eat food to feed our physical body, we must also get what we need to be mentally and emotionally resilient.

Being part of your personal journey is such a privilege. There is nothing more satisfying than watching clients reclaim their lives and truly transform. Therapy and peak performance psychology is about empowerment and accessing your inner potential. It’s about realizing your strengths and applying those inner resources to overcome what has been holding you back. It’s about challenging self-limiting beliefs and gaining insight into the obstacles that are getting in your way, learning how to remove them and applying that insight to make the changes necessary to achieve your goals. I work differently with every client offering a tailored approach to your unique needs and goals. I don’t do “one size fits all” or overly generalized approaches. My goal is not to merely band-aid a symptom or maintain the status quo because we can accomplish so much more than that. Our focus will be on resolving your concerns at the core so that you can truly THRIVE with a sense of freedom and power. I have a passion for the mind body connection, enhancing peak performance and psychophysiological approaches to treatment. I apply a whole person (360 degree) perspective that promotes healing for both the mind and body as well as increased performance and optimal functioning. I would describe my style as an insight-oriented approach that is warm, genuine, laid back and thought-provoking. I value authenticity, keeping it real, and a good sense of humor. My clients tell me I’m very personable, compassionate and accepting, which puts them immediately at ease. Sessions with me are casual, comfortable and feel conversational in nature. I work best with clients who are insightful, motivated to make a change, and want to work hard to achieve their goals.

If you are dealing with overwhelming emotions, especially if you’re someone who has already tried to get help with them and not made the progress you’d hoped for, it’s easy to become convinced that these emotions will always rule the day. Emotional pain is created when we forget our own power, our innate connection to the resources of the Universe. My mission is simply to help you reconnect with your own power by teaching techniques needed to master those overwhelming feelings - to shrink them, reevaluate them, and put them into your past where they belong. What would it feel like if your emotions ceased to control your life? The work we do together will give you the ability to remove the emotional charge from troublesome issues in your life. I act as a guide to your journey of self-discovery. I see myself as a mirror, and my job is to show you who you are, empowering you to make the changes you want to make. The methods that I employ are gentle, effective, and easy for clients to learn and use, and place power squarely in your hands (not in mine). I do a lot of listening in my sessions, but I’ve found that talking stuff out doesn’t get rid of it. Growing in wisdom about how to think about things and make choices can be helpful, but that comes second behind dealing with the problems at their source. I show you how to do this for yourself.

I have over 10 years of providing compassionate and empowering mental healthcare. I have worked with clients to strengthen family connections, build healthy communication skills, increase emotional stability, and decrease self defeating behaviors. Outside of work, you can find me on a hike, enjoying coffee with friends, or in a meditation class.

I assist clients that have endured trauma and stress. Are you looking to find relief through compassionate and effective treatment? If you are interested in finding relief from conditions that have affected your mood, your relationships, your work, andor your habits in a negative way, call or email me now. Together, we can walk the path of recovery together until you have reached your imagined destination. Let's work on overcoming intimate partner violence, anger, toxicity, infidelity, addiction, self-hatred, codependency, shame, isolation, fear, neediness, grief, etc... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Finding the right therapist can feel daunting. It might help you make your decision to know I felt I had to earn the right to accompany my clients on their psychological journeys. I earned that right not just through formal education, but also by embarking on the same psychological journey upon which I would ultimately accompany my clients. I offer therapy in a private, tranquil, picturesque office setting. Please give me a call to discuss how I can help you navigate the challenges you're facing.

Clients often describe my approach as gentle, understanding, and non-judgmental. Many clients report life-changing results after only a few EMDR sessions of processing traumatic memories. Has talk-therapy proven unsuccessful for you in the past? My training is in experiential therapy models, including EMDR, bodywork, and psychodrama, which allow us to do go places beyond talking. I specialize working with trauma, attachment issues, grief & loss, and addiction. Trauma, addiction, and loss can disrupt one's life - and often require professional help. Together, we can process the fueling factors of addiction, emotional pain, or relationship issues. I feel very blessed to bear witness to change and transformation in others (and myself!) everyday through my work. While many therapists claim to be 'trauma-informed', my practice is revolves entirely around trauma work. I've been recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress - the highest status in the academy. As the Director of the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy, I am committed to providing quality trauma therapy services in my community. For my full profile and information about my practice, visit the website on the page.