Therapy is an invitation to step outside the pressure to keep performing, producing, adapting, or holding everything together long enough to reconnect with yourself. You may come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from your needs, or unsure of who you are beneath the expectations you've learned to carry.  My hope is to create a space where you can become more curious about your inner world, develop a deeper understanding of yourself, and build a life that reflects who you are rather than who you've felt expected to be.  

I especially enjoy working with young adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, and neurodivergent clients navigating identity exploration, anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, body image concerns, relationship challenges, the impact of technology on mental health, and major life transitions. Many people I work with have spent years appearing capable on the outside while privately questioning themselves, struggling to meet impossible standards, or wondering why life feels harder than it seems for everyone else.  I believe meaningful change begins with feeling understood. 

My approach is highly collaborative and client-centered. I believe you are the expert on your own experience, and my role is to help you better understand yourself, navigate challenges with greater clarity, and create a life that feels aligned with your values.  Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I blend insight, self-understanding, and practical tools to support meaningful growth. Along the way, I'll ask questions, offer observations, and gently challenge patterns that may no longer be serving you, while honoring your pace and what feels most important to you.

anxiety, Burnout & perfectionism

You may be the person everyone relies on. The one who keeps pushing through exhaustion, overthinks every decision, or feels like there's always more you should be doing. Perhaps you've learned to measure your worth through productivity, achievement, or how well you meet others' expectations. Over time, this can leave you feeling anxious, depleted, disconnected from yourself, or unsure of what you actually need. For many people, technology also plays a significant role in how they cope with stress and overwhelm. You may find yourself stuck in cycles of scrolling, comparing, consuming information, or feeling constantly connected yet increasingly disconnected from yourself.

We can explore your relationship with technology without judgment, building greater awareness of how it impacts your mental health, relationships, attention, and overall well-being. We'll approach these patterns with curiosity rather than judgment, working to better understand what your anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, or coping strategies may be trying to protect while developing practical skills that help you feel more grounded, flexible, and connected to yourself.

relationships, attachment & connection

The relationship we have with ourselves often shapes how we show up in our relationships with others.  Whether you find yourself overthinking interactions, struggling to communicate your needs, repeating frustrating relationship patterns, feeling disconnected from loved ones, or navigating conflict in a partnership, therapy can help you better understand the patterns beneath these experiences.  

In individual or couples therapy, we may explore attachment styles, communication patterns, emotional needs, boundaries, and the ways past experiences continue to influence present relationships. I also view therapy as an opportunity to experience a relationship grounded in consistency, trust, and authenticity - one that can help model what healthy connection feels like and support growth beyond the therapy room. Together, we'll work toward building relationships that feel more intentional, connected, and fulfilling.

walk-and-talk therapy

Healing doesn't always have to happen while sitting in an office. Walk-and-talk therapy offers the opportunity to meet outdoors, move your body, or simply experience a different environment while we talk. Being side by side in nature can support nervous system regulation, reduce the intensity of face-to-face conversation, and create a greater sense of openness within the therapeutic process. This format can also be adapted to accessibility needs, meeting you wherever you are - whether in movement or stillness.

Experience

My experience spans inpatient, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient settings, giving me the opportunity to support people at many different points in their healing journey. I've worked alongside individuals navigating eating disorders, substance use concerns, anxiety and mood-related challenges, relationship difficulties, questions around identity, and coping patterns that may no longer be serving them. I also have a deep appreciation for the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent individuals and strive to create a space where clients feel seen, understood, and supported as their full selves.  

My training includes Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed parts work, which helps clients build a more compassionate relationship with the different parts of themselves, as well as support for concerns related to technology use and Gottman Method-informed couples work. Whether you're working through a specific challenge or seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, I approach therapy with curiosity, collaboration, and the belief that meaningful change happens when you feel safe enough to show up exactly as you are.

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 Jaleesa Pirtle, LCPC.