Approach to Therapy
Most people have times in their lives of struggling with difficult emotions, including anxiety or depression. Most of us long for changes in our lives, and aren’t sure how to make it happen. We all encounter difficulties and sometimes need help re-connecting with our own strengths, or re-aligning our values and actions for a more fulfilling life. I believe relationships (for better or worse) impact who we are. And forming a healing relationship with a therapist can help you work through old hurts and identify who you want to be in the world in this moment in time.
Counseling looks different for each individual I work with, honoring your story and where you are on it. You might be seeking counseling with specific goals in mind, or maybe it is just out of a general feeling that you aren’t enjoying life as much as you would like to. I don’t subscribe to the belief that we all should (or even can) be happy all the time; I just don’t find that realistic. But I do believe that many people feel isolated and alone and that therapy can help you work through some inner struggles towards a more satisfying and meaningful life.
My approach to therapy is integrative and informed by training in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment, compassion-based and mindfulness modalities, psychodynamic, multicultural and feminist theories; acknowledging the transformative potential of the relationship between you and your therapist, the foundational impact of early caregivers, as well as the impact of societal and cultural forces in our lives. I am increasingly interested in somatic practices, and the way our nervous systems hold trauma and how constriction or grounding in our bodies impact our relationships with ourselves and others. I continue to seek additional trainings to stay current in my work, and will adapt our work to fit your needs intentionally and collaboratively with you. I am committed to inclusivity in my practice, striving to be culturally affirming and responsive, and pay particular attention to the way systems of oppression impact personal suffering.
My pronouns are she/her/hers.
Education
Masters of Social Work, UPenn School for Social Policy and Practice (2013)
Bachelor of Arts in Peace & Global Studies, Earlham College (2005)
Clinical Experience prior to private Practice
Post-Graduate Fellowship in Clinical Social Work at Emory University
Emory Student Counseling and Psychological Services (2013-2016)
Emory Employee Assistance Program (2013-2014)
Masters level clinical social work internship, UPenn Student Counseling Center (2012-2013)
Masters level clinical social work internship, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (2011-12)
Extended Trainings & Certifications
Climate Psychology Certificate, California Institute of Integral Studies (2023)
Mindful Self-Compassion, Atlanta Center for Self-Compassion (2021)
Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, based on shame resiliency research of Brené Brown (2017)
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Penn Program on Mindfulness (2013)
Liscense & AFFILIATIONS
Massachusetts: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW): 125739
Georgia: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): CSW005921
Climate Psychology Alliance of North America, Group Therapy Sub-Committee Member
The Daring Way™ Certified Facilitator Referral Network Member
Clinical Social Work Association, Member
Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work, Member
