Starting therapy can feel like a big step. It can also feel vulnerable. Choosing to spend time, energy, and attention on yourself isn't always easy, especially when you're used to putting everyone else's needs first.

Maybe you've been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself, or unsure of what you need. You might be navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, a major life transition, or experiences from the past that still shape how you respond to the world around you. If any of that sounds familiar, therapy can be a place to pause, sort through what's been weighing on you, and begin making sense of it.

I believe we're all shaped by our experiences, relationships, and the environments we've moved through. Sometimes we develop ways of coping, thinking, or relating to others that once helped us but no longer fit the life we're trying to build. Therapy gives us the opportunity to notice those patterns, understand where they came from, and decide whether they're still serving you.

My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable being honest about what's working, what's not, and what feels difficult to put into words. Some days we'll make sense of overwhelming emotions or experiences. Other days we'll focus on practical tools or navigate an important decision. Wherever you are, that's where we'll begin.

Over time, I've found myself especially drawn to working with Gen Z, including teenagers and emerging adults, as they navigate some of life's biggest transitions. Growing up in a world shaped by social media, constant connection, uncertainty, and rapidly changing expectations comes with challenges that previous generations haven't experienced in quite the same way. Whether you're figuring out who you are, adjusting to college or a new career, navigating friendships and dating, setting boundaries with family, or simply trying to build a life that feels meaningful, therapy can provide a space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.

I also enjoy working with parents of teenage girls and new or expecting mothers. These seasons of life often come with changing roles, relationships, and responsibilities. Whether you're trying to support someone you love or adjust to a new chapter, we'll create a space where you can slow down and hear yourself a little more clearly.

One of the things I value most is helping clients understand how their past continues to influence the present. When we can make sense of where our thoughts, emotions, and patterns come from, it becomes easier to respond to ourselves with compassion instead of criticism and make choices that feel more like our own.

I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative. You know yourself better than anyone else. My role is to ask thoughtful questions, offer a different perspective when it feels helpful, and help you recognize strengths you may not even realize you already have.

My Approach

My approach is integrative, strengths-based, and tailored to your needs and goals. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness practices, restorative approaches, and systemic perspectives, always with the understanding that therapy isn't one-size-fits-all.

My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you can be honest, feel understood, and leave knowing yourself a little better than when you walked in. I would be honored to be part of that process.

Experience

My clinical experience has allowed me to work with individuals and families across a variety of settings, including Chicago Public Schools, outpatient and intensive outpatient programs, and private practice. Working with clients from diverse backgrounds and at different stages of life has deepened my appreciation for the uniqueness of each person's story and reinforced the importance of tailoring therapy to their individual needs and goals.

I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Indiana University and my Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Licensure

As a Clinical Fellow, I am gaining the necessary experience and supervision to obtain my clinical license (LCSW). I will consistently receive training and education to inform my practice and gain more tools for my clients. I am working under the supervision of Andrea Espinosa, LCSW.