What was your path to becoming a mental health provider?
"I come from a history of trauma and have fought to survive in a world (internal and external) of shame and hatred. I have walked where others still travel, which helps me walk with my clients along their journey. I have always leaned toward others; empathy was my logic, sometimes to a fault. I know what it means to feel alone and unseen, to be judged without merit. I know the power of having someone in your corner willing to stand with you in your pain, shame, accomplishments, and celebration. I have been a beautifully flawed human my entire life and have worked hard to find my true story, discard the echoes from others who do not belong, and can now help others find their own story without shame and isolation. People are my passion."
What should someone know about working with you?
"My intake process is simply a conversation about who you are and what you are going through. There's no pressure to rush into anything you're not ready for. It's all about going at your own pace. Progress in mental health may seem elusive. It's a slow and sometimes unsteady journey, but it's truly magical when you start to see its effects. You do not have to do it alone. Telling your story out loud in a safe space is where the healing truly begins."
How do you continue learning and building new skills?
"I am committed to continuing my education with science-based learning as required by law. Learning is an ongoing and incredible journey. I strongly believe that the moment we think we know everything, we know nothing. We are constantly evolving and learning. Despite receiving an excellent education, I find that I learn the most about myself and my role as a therapist by working with a diverse group of clients. I learn more from my clients than they could ever learn from me. Your mental health journey is not for someone else to dictate; it's for you to express. You are not flawed; you hold stories that make you unique, and that is invaluable."
What excites you right now in the mental health field?
"Shadow work, parts work, and Internal Family Systems are essentially the same. They all involve getting to know yourself, reshaping your narrative by delving into your inner self, and encountering the various parts that store the stories shaping your belief system. We live so much in the external world while ignoring our internal system. It's magical what can and does happen when we break ourselves into parts to become one with ourselves."
How do you define success in your practice?
"My clients' outcomes are important to me. It's not about my success but about how they feel they have found answers and improved their way of life. Their success reflects the success of my practice."