Nice to meet you!
So. If you’re considering spilling your guts to me, seems it’s only fair you get to know a little about me, right?
I live in Cleveland and am a huge Cavs fan. I have a cat named Clementine who has no boundaries - if we work together she will definitely knock some things off my desk during a session.
I’m pretty introverted. I read a lot and watch way too much TV. (I think I can gain some real insight about you by your favorite Real Housewife...) I love stand up comedy and anything pistachio flavored. And I say the word “bonkers” too much.
I’m pretty unstuffy as a therapist, I’m gonna wear t-shirts most of the time and my office is decorated with movie posters instead of botanical prints. (No offense to botanical prints.) We’ll laugh sometimes, I will often tear up when you do, and I won’t let you gloss over or minimize your successes. Also, I will always want to see your pets.
I became a therapist because I know what it’s like to have anxiety keep you from doing the things you want. And how impossible it can make it to connect with others. If your depression completely zaps your motivation and makes it easy for shame to take over, I get that too. I think a lot about how things might have been easier for me if I had started therapy sooner in life. If I had been able to embrace my sensitivity as a strength, better communicate my needs, and realized sooner that my worth wasn’t defined by other people’s opinions. Those were some hard lessons to learn, and they took some time. But I really believe it is never too late to start doing things differently and start living life on your own terms. You got this!
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My approach is trauma-informed, social justice-oriented, and grounded in intersectional feminist theory. This means I will not just focus on your symptoms, but also take into account the ways that all of the roles you play in your life and the pressures and expectations you feel from your relationships, your culture, and society as a whole impact your wellbeing.
Our work together will be collaborative and my goal is to empower you and support you as you start to unpack the hard stuff. I will gently hold you accountable and frequently check in to make sure what we are doing is working for you and if we need to make any adjustments.
This is a safe, affirming place for all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
I believe healthy and happy can look like any size.
I welcome and support all relationship structures, including ethical non-monogamy and polyamory.
From a theoretical standpoint, in addition to Feminist Empowerment Therapy, I most utilize components from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I also pull a lot from Narrative, Schema, Interpersonal, and Relational Therapy.
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Some areas I am particularly passionate about and have certifications or extra training in:
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
Anxiety
ADHD
Body Image and Body Neutrality
Childfree by Choice
Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism
Depression
Emotional Spending
ENM and Polyamory
Highly Sensitive People
LGBTQIA+ Specific Issues
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Trauma and Complex PTSD
...If you thought, “Certified in Anxiety? Same girl!,” then we will work great together!