Good for you for starting your search for a counselor that will fit you well! What should most people look for in a therapist? I believe people want someone that pays attention to the facts and details of their story. They want someone that won't get too caught up in weekly updates that the goals or big picture is lost. They want a therapist to be someone they find comfortable revealing their innermost thoughts. They want someone they won't feel judged by, yet someone that will gently tell them straight up areas that are not working for them. These areas of comfortability, nonjudgement, directness, and attention to detail, I think I do well. Whether you are excelled in higher education or have a GED, are introvert or extravert, like to cuss or find it uncomfortable, from a completely different background or the same, in the same-sex body as me or not, same age group as me or not, I welcome you to give therapy a try.
I am not everyone’s therapist and I'm okay with that. I'm open to a brief initial conversation to ask questions and see if it feels like our styles, personalities, and calendars can work. The first appointment can tell you a lot. You will notice I talk in session and do not just expect you to do all the talking. I have fidget toys because it’s hard for me to sit all day. I like a comfortable workspace and my office looks a lot like a living room. I always stress to keep an eye on maintaining the powerful basics of eating right, sleeping well, exercising, and different forms of self care. I also want to make sure you are taking seriously the well researched strategies to help alleviate symptoms. Most people struggle way more than they really need to and there are resources that help. Together we can hone in on strategies that work for you.
New clients typically initiate therapy with me because they are struggling with depressive symptoms, panic attacks or anxieties, bipolar, grief/loss, trauma triggers, borderline (personality) tendencies, problematic behaviors, problematic people in their lives, inattention/focus issues, anger issues, or overwhelming stress.
I am a LGBT affirming therapist and support all healthy relationships.
