I strive to approach clients' troubles through the lens of empathy and understanding from clients' point of experience. I believe the best communication style in my helping profession is to first LISTEN with compassion and without judgment.

I bring evidence-based knowledge to my therapy coupled with personal experience. I believe you will feel comfortable and not judged at all when working with me.

If you’re looking for therapy, you may be feeling discouraged, misunderstood, or unsure how to repair the emotional distance that’s developed between you and your partner. Maybe you love each other deeply, but can’t seem to stop the cycle of miscommunication or conflict. I understand how painful that can feel—and I want you to know that healing and connection are possible. My work focuses on helping couples rediscover their friendship, deepen their emotional intimacy, and learn skills that allow them to navigate differences with compassion and respect. Drawing from the Gottman Method and Prepare-Enrich, I use evidence-based approaches to help you understand what’s really happening beneath your interactions and to practice new ways of communicating that bring safety, empathy, and hope back into the relationship. You’ll find my style to be warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. Together, we’ll explore the patterns that keep you stuck, while also identifying the strengths that can move you forward. I believe therapy should be both a space for insight and for action—a place where couples can learn to listen, forgive, and rebuild a bond that reflects the best version of who they are together. All sessions are virtual telehealth, allowing for greater accessibility to therapy services, and are convenient for most people. My practice provides a confidential, compassionate space for couples and individuals seeking to strengthen their relationships and emotional well-being. Call or email to book your appointment today.

You are worthy of healing, even when your inner-critic says otherwise. If you are experiencing anxiety, you know that it is much more complex than excessive worrying. Often negative self-talk, guilt, self-doubt, and fear also run rampant, making it difficult to get through your day. On the outside, your loved ones or colleagues may think you have it together, but internally you are struggling. Trying to control everything around you - while at the same time feeling out of control leaves you exhausted and on edge. I help clients heal by reducing anxiety and restoring self-worth. When you work with me, we will uncover your strengths, process past wounds, and enhance your coping skills. I empower all clients’ growth by using a culturally-affirming, strengths-based approach. Modalities include CBT, DBT, and Psychodynamic Therapy. With me, you will get an inclusive space to grow, heal, and practice self-compassion. You don’t have to deal with anxiety on your own. I’m here to help.

I have been in practice for over 20 years. I provide mental health support services, offering comprehensive services including biopsychosocial assessments, interventions, and follow-up services for medication management. I treat mood, trauma, and stress conditions. I also have experience with healthcare-related diagnoses and stressors, including prenatal and postpartum conditions, and loss. I utilize various therapeutic methods, including attachment-based approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed approaches, and family systems theory.

At Laurel Fay and Associates, my colleagues and I are committed to providing you with a safe, caring environment in which we can address your unique situation. By carefully listening, I work to get behind the everyday surface of a situation to the underlying meaning. My systemic approach means I look to the dynamics between people rather than solely focusing on the internal workings of one person. Even in individual work, this approach can be helpful and empowering. I often use humor to gently but skillfully pinpoint specific issues and highlight areas of growth.

Success often comes at a personal cost. As an executive, entrepreneur, or leader, you’ve mastered the art of staying composed and performing under pressure. But behind the scenes, the stress of carrying so much responsibility can take a toll. Whether it’s the lingering effects of childhood struggles, strained personal relationships, or feeling disconnected from the life you’ve worked so hard to build, the cracks in your armor may be showing. If you’re tired of holding it all together while feeling alone, it’s time for a change. I specialize in helping high-achieving individuals resolve the personal and professional challenges that impact their lives. Using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, I guide you in overcoming trauma, breaking unhelpful patterns, and improving relationships. Whether you’re managing anxiety, balancing work and home, or rediscovering yourself, our work is tailored to help you heal. You don’t have to sacrifice your personal peace for professional success. Therapy isn’t just about healing—it’s about building a life where you can thrive, both at work and at home. Let’s work together to address the barriers that are holding you back and create a life where you feel confident, connected, and in control. The first step starts here.

I began working in this field almost 30 years ago because I wanted to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Over the years, I have worked with countless individuals, couples, families, and groups to help them improve their quality of life. Through my experience, I have learned that: Although many may appear to be similar demographically in terms of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, etc., everyone brings hisher own individual histories to therapy -- histories that distinguish each client as a unique individual. As a result, I welcome all clients, and I recognize that each client will bring hisher own history and values to therapy. I commit to working within each individual's system of values as I try to help the individual draw from hisher history to improve hisher quality of life. My two primary metrics are: a) tangible improvements in an individual's life, and b) the individual's feelings and understanding regarding change and the process of change. Like physical therapists and coaches who are willing to challenge their athletes to perform at full potential, I am willing to challenge my clients to reach their full potential in life. But my guiding philosophy is: "challenge by choice" -- I will only as far and as fast as my clients are comfortable.

I am dedicated to the practice and research of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples who are struggling and interested in improving their relationships. EFT is one of the few evidence based practices for improving relationships. I have specialized expertise in treating depression along with relationship problems.

Teletherapy available. I specialize in anxiety, depression, relationship issues, infertility, stress and coping, life transitions, and health issues. All of us have moments in our lives when we feel like we're struggling. Having someone to talk to and a place where you can go to feel supported can make all the difference. Maybe you're feeling exhausted, nervous, hopeless, confused, or frustrated. Or maybe you don't know what you're feeling, just that you're not feeling like yourself. We will work together to help you get to a better place. Our therapy relationship will be built on genuineness, warmth, acceptance, trust, and openness. No feeling or situation lasts forever and you can feel better.

I have been working in the helping field related to counseling for almost 20 years. In that time I have learned that the best way to help others is to be an excellent listener, to be compassionate, empathetic, and to collaborate with individuals to assist them in gaining the tools that they need to make positive change in their lives. I work hard to encourage clients that the strength for change lies within them and my job is to help them find it. I utilize a great deal of mindfulness based techniques and believe that learning the process of becoming more mindful in life can be extremely beneficial to problem solving and learning to sit with discomfort. As a counselor I do not believe that I have all of the answers or can fix anyone, however, I do believe that if the client is willing to do the work to create change in their life that I can assist them in doing so successfully. Ultimately, my goal for the counseling relationship is to assist clients in managing stress more effectively and learning skills that can be used well after the counseling relationship has terminated, in a straightforward and honest approach.

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.