Hi, I’m Claire. Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge your unique reasons for seeking therapy, and explore your options here. I believe that every person has an innate capacity for healing and transformation, though we all encounter moments when we feel stuck or lost along the way. Suffering is part of the human experience, and to ask and receive support is how we transform pain into meaning.

My approach centers on creating a safe, authentic space where you can explore the parts of yourself that may have been pushed aside or left unacknowledged. I believe that lasting change often comes from understanding how our past experiences, both the beautiful and the difficult ones, continue to shape our present-day lives. Through this understanding, we can work together to create new patterns that better serve you.

Clinical Approach & Personal Philosophy

As a therapist, I value authenticity, direct communication, and meeting you exactly where you are. I believe that you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to support you in uncovering your own wisdom and strength. Currently, I work with individuals and couples navigating a wide range of life challenges.

For individuals, I specialize in anxiety disorders. These include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (hair-pulling, skin-picking, etc). I also focus on depression and trauma-related concerns. In couples work, I focus on helping partners develop better communication patterns, understand each other's internal worlds, and strengthen their connection all while honoring each person's individual needs and growth.

My clinical work has gradually evolved into a blend of approaches that allow me to meet you where you are while also helping you move toward the life you want. I often draw from psychodynamic and existential therapy, which invite us to slow down and explore the deeper “why” behind patterns, behaviors, and struggles. Together, we can look at the underlying meanings and themes in your life with curiosity and compassion, creating space for new insights and possibilities.

I also integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) to understand the different parts that make up your entire identity, and how they interact and function together. Many clients find that naming and exploring these parts brings clarity, self-acceptance, and healing, as those parts begin working together more harmoniously. Alongside this, I lean heavily into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on building psychological flexibility and living more fully in alignment with your values.

In addition, I bring in my formal training in Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), which was specifically designed for people who identify as rigid, overly controlled, or perfectionistic in their patterns of thinking, behaving, and feeling. For clients who recognize themselves in these traits, RO-DBT offers structured skills to promote openness, self-compassion, and deeper connections with others.

My goal is for you to feel truly understood and seen in our sessions together. Therapy works best when it feels like a genuine human connection. While I bring clinical expertise and evidence-based approaches to our work together, I also bring my whole self into the room. That includes my curiosity, my sense of humor, and my deep respect for your unique story. My goal is for you to leave each session feeling more connected to yourself and more equipped to handle whatever life brings your way.

Experience

I have a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from the University of California, Davis and a Master of Arts in clinical social work from the University of Chicago. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois. Before joining Balanced Awakening, I have worked in private practice, hospitals, and school settings, where I provided therapy to adults, adolescents, and families facing a variety of challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.