Therapy is sometimes thought to be a mysterious and magical process. I’d like to stop and pull back the curtain to emphasize, therapists are not magicians. My role is to be a reliable human who shows up to our relationship where I can support and guide your chosen direction. Healing happens when we feel connected to others-the therapy room is a controlled, safe environment to connect when it may be difficult to do in everyday life. I am not here to decide your path. You are the driver on the “therapy bus” and I am the co-pilot. I am here to walk with you wherever you choose to go. My job is to remind you if you get “off-course.” You set the direction, and I just hold the map until you are ready for me to hand it back to you.
I approach therapy through the lens of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), though I bring experience and training from many approaches. I greatly value continuous learning. I have dedicated myself to understanding psychedelics as a tool for healing and catalyst for therapy. I have completed trainings such as Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (MAPS), Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (Eagala), Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Family Based Treatment (FBT), and CBT-E. While I gather information from official training and certifications, my biggest source of knowledge comes from my clients. A diagnosis isn’t what really interests me. You as a complex human navigating the world interests me.
I am here to be the person you can bring anything to without fear of judgment or consequences. I am here to challenge you to step deeper into discomfort when appropriate. I am here to bring compassion when self-criticism is the go-to response. I am here to facilitate your growth on your own terms. Let me be clear though, growth comes with discomfort and that is okay! I will not try to fix your pain, anger, or other distressing emotions and thoughts, as they provide valuable information. Not only that, but when we try to “fix” or avoid these distressing experiences, they end up sticking around and often, get worse over time. While I may sit directly across from you in therapy, picture me standing next to you as we explore the things that are too painful to address alone.
I am a parent, active-duty spouse, prior military, retired competitive athlete and former strength and conditioning coach. My passion for treating disordered eating, perfectionism, and body image issues intersects with athletes frequently. You do not need to be an athlete to struggle with these though. Disordered eating is much more common than most think, as dieting and manipulating our bodies have been normalized and glorified in our culture. I am neurodivergent, HAES informed, anti-diet (unless it’s a prescribed medical diet) and have lived experience with chronic pain and illness. Too often, society has told us to dismiss our needs and override them. Listening to our needs rather than dismissing them is a process of unlearning and relearning. I am here to help you find out what you need/want rather than what you “should” do. I am also here to help you navigate a complicated and at times, traumatizing medical system. You deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of your circumstances.
The real magic in therapy isn’t mystical. The magic is when you feel and recognize your capacity to handle life as it comes. In our work together, the goal isn’t to create a perfect life without pain or distress- the goal is to navigate life’s ups and downs in a way that aligns with your values.