I believe people can tell when someone is truly present with them, and I want my clients to feel that I’m showing up as my genuine self.

One of the things I value most about myself as a counselor is my ability to put myself in other people’s shoes. I genuinely want to understand where someone is coming from, even when their perspective or experience is different from my own.

I don’t see people as their diagnosis, their behaviors, or the hardest thing they’ve been through. There is always more to the story, and I want to take the time to understand yours.

I’m also interested in the “why” behind what we do. Whether we’re talking about anxiety, depression, a behavior, a relationship conflict, or difficulty setting boundaries, I want to understand what is underneath it. What happened? What are you feeling? Where might that feeling be coming from? What patterns have you learned? And what might need to change?

When working with children and adolescents, I try to look beyond the behavior and ask, “What might this behavior be communicating?” I believe behavior is often connected to something deeper, and understanding that can help us respond more effectively.

I’m warm and supportive, but I’m also willing to be honest and gently challenge you when I believe it could help you grow. I want therapy to feel like a genuine human connection, one where you can be yourself, feel accepted, and still be encouraged to become the person you want to be.

And I believe there should be room for laughter, too. Therapy can be meaningful and serious without every moment having to feel heavy.