Authenticity is an essential component of the therapeutic environment. I strive to create spaces for individuals to feel safe, heard, seen, and empowered.

I like to create a calm, accepting environment where clients feel free to express their true feelings without fear of judgment. My hope is for clients to look forward to every session.

Talking about sex and problematic sexual behaviors is often stigmatized by society, family or culture. My main goal is provide a safe place where one can openly discuss sexual concerns and we can work together to determine if they are problematic or to discuss the impact of another's sexual behaviors on you. Too often, it is assumed that therapy around sexual addiction or sexuality is about stopping one's sexual behavior. Here, we work to define your sexuality as an individual. Work may include trauma focused work in order to gain access to underlying concerns, or it may involve sex education to best claim your sexuality. Working with loved ones of sex addicts, including parents, often includes shame reduction and healthy boundary work. Whatever the work is, you are part of the treatment team and the most important part of guiding therapy.

Every conversation makes a difference. The differences may be subtle or they can be life-changing. I work in a direct and warm manner, creating an environment that is dynamic and safe. The therapeutic relationship is a very important one and can provide the basis for navigating through difficult life transitions, improving communication skills, healing from a loss, or exploring possibilities for enhancing one's life.

Life often presents us with difficulties and struggles. Sometimes having someone who is willing to listen without judging what you are going through can help you with sorting out your problems and difficulties. Telling your story enables you to come to terms with your current experiences. You may be dealing with difficult life events, feeling sad, anxious or depressed. Therapy can help you to learn coping skills and techniques to solve problems. I encourage you to reach out today to see how I can be of help to you. I have worked with clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions and mood disorders. I enjoy helping those who struggle with a desire to change behaviors. I am passionate about working with those who are experiencing stress or anxiety and helping those dealing with problems with self-esteem or difficulties in their current or past relationships.

Psychotherapy can help you claim and enjoy more in your life. We can all use help in finding our way at different times in our lives. You may be ready for more happiness in your life, more satisfaction, creativity, success, confidence, peace, friendships - or greater depth to your relationships. You may not have been able to find it on your own. I have experience, training, compassion and a mindful approach that can help you develop traction on the path that is truly yours. My focus is on helping you develop your ability to see yourself, your circumstances and your challenges with a fresh eye, allowing your to create the changes in your life that you really want. To the work that we can do together, I bring over fifteen years of experience as a psychotherapist, plus a depth of understanding from my experience as a husband and father and from my experience as a firefighter and paramedic. The work that I do is not about being broken or ill; it is about being more alive: * Shifting away from negative anticipation and belief in powerlessness, toward actualizing your own authentic power and vitality * Increasing creativity in your life * Living a life infused with clarity as to the abundance available to you, on place of an expectation of scarcity * Discovering the relief and pleasure in living authentically, honestly, as the "real you" * Feeling your feelings, all of them, more fully and with less fear * Finding the pleasure of taking relationships to a deeper level; enlivening friendships and reinvigorating relationships gone stale * Moving beyond the pain of the past - physical, emotional, spiritual or otherwise; letting go of outdated, limiting ideas or beliefs about yourself and finding joy in being alive. You can do this. We'll work to get you there.

Are you concerned with your child's ability to express emotions?Are you frustrated with relationships in your life? All thoughts, feelings and behaviors can be changed. Therapy gives you the chance to explore your concerns, improving many areas of your life, such as friendships, work and intimacy. My approach integrates the mind, body and spirit.

I work with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds, who have all come to a shared realization: that their way of living is no longer working for them. Whether you are struggling with addiction or depression or find yourself experiencing relationship difficulties, you aspire to something new; something more. Together we identify the nature of your particular dissatisfaction, discover how you got here, and develop a more desirable and sustainable way of life. I believe that my role is to be a nonjudgmental companion to you on your unique journey of self-discovery and profound change.

Throughout the journey of a woman’s life there are many emotional shifts and challenges. Are you going through a difficult life event and feeling like it would help to have more support? Are you looking to learn ways to increase your emotional wellness, resolve conflicts, and feel more secure in your relationship with yourself and others? I offer a supportive space that incorporates mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, counseling, and art therapy. Each of these modalities provide a way of integrating the mindbody connection and working through emotions, thought patterns, and experiences. I work from a strength based wellness perspective and my approach is collaborative. Find support to transform your life story into a journey of personal growth. Offering support for emotional wellness… Learn ways to feel more like yourself… Connect in a space that is supportive and nurturing.

My philosophy and approach to helping clients is to do a thorough assessment and develop a treatment plan that is characteristic of that client and guide clients through therapy to healing. Each client has a uniqueness about them and my work is finding it and helping that client realize it and live in it. Perception is the key to understanding. Awareness is the key to realization.

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.

At Silk Counseling Group, we have a team of skilled therapists with diverse specialties and expertise, dedicated to helping you find the right fit for your unique needs. Let us guide you toward the support and care that works best for you.