I believe that every individual has the strengths, resources, and abilities to live authentically according to their chosen values and life goals. As a therapist, my approach is collaborative and conversational, working with you to identify actionable strategies for addressing current challenges while also creating space to process past and present difficulties. In our sessions, you can expect an atmosphere that is direct, supportive, and positive — with some humor sprinkled in. My goal is to build trust, help you tap into your core strengths, and equip you with the skills to navigate life in ways that work for you.
My clinical interests include helping individuals (adults and young adults) with challenges related to anxiety, depression, relationship issues, low self-esteem, stress, phobias, grief, major life transitions, ADHD, trauma, and athletic performance. I am especially passionate about working with individuals on three core specialties:
- Early-Career Confidence and “Quarter-life Crisis” – Life is a perpetual series of transitions, some weightier than others. As you embark on a new or altered path, you might struggle with work or career confidence, social anxiety, panic, and confident decision-making – and it may not be obvious why. We’ll work on clarifying what’s gotten in the way, defining your unique strengths and abilities, improving performance, and making values-focused decisions.
- Fatherhood – The transition to fatherhood is major, and it can bring a level of stress and pressure that is unrecognizable. Maybe you find yourself grappling with shifting views of yourself, your partner, and your relationships. You might even feel like you’ve lost your freedom. We’ll dig in on the emotional complexities associated with the transition to fatherhood and consider ways to reorient yourself and establish stability and confidence.
- Infertility, Pregnancy and Postpartum – In the smoothest of situations, the journey to and beyond pregnancy is riddled with challenges. This applies both to birthing parents and their partners. Infertility brings with it unmet expectations, questions of meaning, and reflections of self-worth. Pregnancy may prompt concerns about finances, health, and parenting ability. The year after your first (or 10th) is brought home requires regular adjustments and an often-uncomfortable sense of uncertainty. We’ll work on finding balance, specific ways to support yourself and your partner, and how to better tolerate uncertainty.
Difficult topics like these often carry a stigma, which is exactly why we NEED to talk about them. While normalizing these conversations is a challenge, I find it incredibly rewarding—it’s where so much growth happens. Addressing these issues directly and with a bit of humor builds the confidence you need to more fully appreciate your experiences, your relationships, and your own resilience.
I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. I find that a combination of these approaches, while also considering the impact of past trauma, can be particularly effective in addressing a wide range of challenges. At the core of my approach is the belief that learning to respond more flexibly to our thoughts, emotions, and stressors is key to moving through life’s difficulties, building core confidence, and achieving our goals.
I hold a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. I have experience providing psychotherapy to young adults and adults in private practice and university counseling settings, both individually and in group formats. I have received structured training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive processing therapy for trauma, and trauma-informed care. I am currently engaging in additional training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for the treatment of social anxiety, phobias, and other anxiety-related challenges. I am also pursuing certification in perinatal mental health (PMH-C).
- IL LPC License: 178021162
- Supervised by: Reyna Schwartz, PsyD, PMH-C
- NPI Number: 1275397291
- Accepts: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice Plans, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients
Selected Training & Affiliation
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Proficiency
- Cognitive Processing Therapy Basic
- Mental Health First Aid
- Lethal Means and Suicide
- Person-centered Theory
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Mindfulness-based Approaches
- American Counseling Association
- Member of Postpartum Support International
Key Beliefs
- How we think about our problems is often more problematic than the problems themselves
- Managing the ups and downs of life requires us to become comfortable with what is uncomfortable
- Humor is fundamental to human healing
- All human beings have agency — it’s a matter of choosing to engage it
- Even the smallest of steps can create momentum
More About Me
- In my free time I love watching sports and being active is very important to me, whether that’s through bike riding, yoga, getting to the gym, or running.
- In terms of my sports allegiances, let’s just say I’m originally from St. Louis and leave it at that.
- Getting out of the city and into nature is deeply therapeutic for me, as is listening to music (I like just about all kinds).
- Prior to becoming a counselor, I spent 10 years in the corporate world where I learned many lessons, the most impactful of which being… I was not meant to spend another 10 years in the corporate world. And that’s what brought me to this wonderful career where every day I get to learn more about YOUR story — and hopefully in some small way help you to author your next best chapter.
