About Me

Education: 

         2005: B. A. Psychology

                   University of Dayton

         2008: Masters of Social Work (MSW)

                   Saint Louis University

         LCSW active since September 2011

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Overview:

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker treating adults who experience anxiety disorders,

ADHD, trauma related disorders, and mood disorders.  

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After 14 years experience working in a community health center setting as an

administrator and therapist, I decided to open my own private practice.  I have experienced

burnout in my prior roles and felt It was an opportunity for me to slow down and sharpen my

therapy skills while being able to provide effective treatment to those who are seeking

mental health services. 

 

           ​"Listen- are you breathing just a little and

              calling it life?" - Mary Oliver

 

My treatment specialties:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma related disorders

• Depression and other mood disorders

• Anxiety disorders including panic disorder and OCD

• Balancing work-life and burnout prevention

• Insomnia and sleep issues

• ADHD

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My approach:

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  I use compassion and understanding to assist clients in finding the answers they need.  I don’t prescribe to “giving advice”, however, I do look to the evidence-based practices (Yay! Science!) to guide us on the right path.  The goal in all of the treatments I provide is to "get better at feeling" not necessarily to "feel better".   

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We all have a variety of emotions on any given day and often-times we shy away from them, cringing when the uncomfortable ones arise.  I help you to identify what to do with those emotions and in many instances, lean into them while also finding what brings you joy.  

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Some newer areas of interest for me have been treating OCD and ADHD.   ADHD is one of my favorites to treat as I experience it myself, and I believe it is one of those diagnosis seems to be better understood when you have personal experience with it.   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often what we use to help you shift behaviors while also providing a lot of psychoeducation on better understanding how your ADHD symptoms present (everyone's are different!).  

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As for OCD, exposure response prevention (ERP) is the most effective treatment for this based on our current research, however, this treatment can be scary for some clients.  I have now started incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into OCD treatment sessions, and the outcomes with clients have been positive.  

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