Thanks for being here. Here’s a bit about me and my approach to therapy.

I’ve been in the mental health field for 15 years and have experience treating various issues experienced by adults including anxiety, depression, chronic stress, relationship difficulties, self-image, grief, shame, and beyond. I specialize in helping people who have lived through significant trauma, including attachment trauma. I am certified in EMDR, an evidence-based therapy method used to relieve residual effects of traumatic events and environments. I provide therapy in-person at my Saint Louis office, but I can accommodate telehealth/online options by preference.

I pride myself on being a very “real” therapist. I am authentic with you and work hard to make you feel very comfortable so that you can be your authentic self as well. I am not a ‘nod-and-smile’, vanilla type of therapist you might see in the movies. It’s possible I will sit “cross-cross-applesauce” in my chair, curse, laugh too loud, and wear leggings during session. I know if I’m not real, I can’t expect you to be either; and when you feel safe to be real with me, we can work on how that carries over to the rest of your life. We will unravel the complexities that make you exactly who you are and arrange each piece in a way that feels good for you at a pace you are comfortable with.

I understand the familiar struggle of trying to control your world through endless schedules and to-do lists, to power through, to live on autopilot. We ignore the long-held experiences and stories which greatly influence how we interact with the world. We think “there has to be a better way”, and so quickly a simple thought turns to harsh self-criticism and shame. Our thoughts become our feelings, our feelings become our behaviors, our behaviors become our wellness.

There are different styles or types of therapies (often referred to as modalities) and every therapist has a few favorites or “go-tos”. Everyone I work with gets a tailored approach based on what fits them best. I won’t bore you with theories, but my skills lean heavily on fostering self-awareness. Getting curious about who you are and how you show up in the world is a great first step to being empowered for change. If we can name it, we can tame it. I’m also certified in a specialty practice: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is not like traditional talk therapy and we can discuss whether or not it’s the right fit for you. If you’d like to explore more about EMDR, feel free to do your own research. The EMDR International Association and the EMDR Institute are great resources for more information. It’s important to note, while many conversations surrounding EMDR suggest it’s benefits for trauma single incidents, it’s a great choice for people who have trauma to the way they think about themselves. For more information on covert trauma check out my blog post “Trauma: Understanding your experience and winning the adversity contest.” I offer EMDR intensives, starting with 4 hours of focused trauma work, with additional time added as needed for your individual goals. EMDR intensives are great for those who are ready to dig into some deep healing work, people who have busy schedules which don’t accommodate weekly sessions, or people who do not live close to my Saint Louis office. All EMDR reprocessing sessions are exclusively in-person.

Together, we can find the wisdom in your story. We can work to nurture the most bold, kind, effective, loving, and authentic version of you. We can empower that person to show up regardless of circumstances. It starts with a simple decision to slow down enough and get curious about what’s working and what’s not. Because when we get curious about how we are offering ourselves to the world, how we are showing up for ourselves, change can begin.