Choosing to begin therapy takes courage, and I’m so glad you’re here.  

Many clients I work with are navigating anxiety, perfectionism, shame, life transitions, trauma, eating and body image concerns, OCD, or feeling disconnected from themselves. I especially enjoy working with older teens, young adults, and adults who are curious about themselves and interested in developing a deeper understanding of who they are. I also enjoy supporting clients through transitions related to school, adulthood, relationships, identity, and different seasons of life.  

I believe that our struggles make sense when we understand the context in which they developed. Our identities, relationships, family experiences, cultures, and the systems we navigate all shape how we move through the world. Rather than asking, “What is wrong with you?” I believe in asking, “What has shaped you?” and “What makes sense about the ways you have learned to cope?” Together, we will explore your experiences with curiosity, compassion, and without judgment.  I am especially passionate about supporting clients as they explore identity and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. I am committed to providing culturally responsive, multicultural, and LGBTQ+ affirming care, and I value how our identities and lived experiences influence how we understand ourselves and the world around us. 

I especially enjoy working with women of color, BIPOC clients, LGBTQ+ clients, and clients with other marginalized identities. I believe culture and identity are an important part of the therapeutic work rather than something separate from the concerns that bring you to therapy.  I believe therapy is not only about reducing symptoms. It is also about developing a deeper understanding of yourself. Healing often begins when we feel safe enough to be fully seen, understood, and accepted. My goal is to create a space where you can explore your story, reconnect with your values, and learn to relate to yourself with greater compassion. You do not have to have everything figured out before beginning therapy. Wherever you are, we can start there.

My Approach

My approach is relational, trauma informed, and integrative. I believe the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important parts of healing, especially when working through trauma, shame, self-criticism, or experiences that have made it difficult to trust yourself or others. My priority is creating a space where you feel safe enough to show up as yourself, explore the parts of your experience that may feel confusing or overwhelming, and move toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you.  

I see therapy as a collaborative process where we can be curious together about what you are experiencing and what may be underneath it. I take time to build trust and create space for you to explore at your own pace. At times, I may gently challenge you, offer a different perspective, or introduce tools that can support you outside of therapy when helpful. While we will have a sense of what you want to work toward, there is also flexibility to focus on what feels most important to you in the moment.  

Because every client is different, I draw from various approaches based on what feels most helpful for you. Our work may include exploring your values, noticing patterns that no longer serve you, building practical skills for navigating difficult emotions, or becoming curious about different parts of yourself and the stories you have developed along the way. My approach is informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I also have training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma.

Whether this is your first experience with therapy or you have been on this journey before, my hope is that each session leaves you feeling a little more understood than when you walked in. I would be honored to walk alongside you as you deepen your understanding of yourself, build on your strengths, and create a life that feels more authentic, connected, and aligned with your values.

Experience

My clinical experience includes providing individual and group therapy to adolescents and adults across outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), and residential levels of care. I have extensive experience working with eating disorders and OCD, as well as supporting clients navigating trauma, anxiety, identity exploration, self worth, and emotion regulation. My experience across different levels of care has shaped my ability to meet clients where they are and tailor therapy to their individual needs.

Licensure

I am a Clinical Fellow at Balanced Awakening, completing the final steps toward LCPC licensure. I have several years of clinical experience and I am currently accruing additional supervised practice to be eligible for the LCPC credential in Illinois. I am supervised by Andrea Espinosa, LCSW.