Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach

Each of us has a unique life history and an unknown future which find their meeting in the present moment. The path we take from here is ours to decide, but sometimes our history gets in the way. Other times, it can propel us forward. My goal as your counselor is to help you sort through where you’ve come from while charting a meaningful path to where you want to go.

Sometimes processing through your past can be discouraging, but I treat it like a sacred journey with hidden treasures to be uncovered along the way. Some things are worth grieving, while others are worth polishing and repurposing. Still, others are fully well-functioning and worth appreciating!

To help you reach your goals, and live fully into the person, couple, or family you are becoming, I will stay fully present with you in the moment; not jumping ahead or falling behind. I will pursue an in-depth understanding of your strengths and struggles while encouraging you with new insights and strategies. Ultimately, I hope you can find with me the kind of therapeutic relationship that is safe, enduring, and life-giving.

What to Expect in Therapy

In our first few sessions together, you can expect me to hear your concerns, highlight your strengths, and discover more of who you are. I do my best to ensure you get what you want out of therapy, so we will take time to define your goals. Don’t worry if you don’t know what your goals are; part of my job is helping you clarify them!

The way I look at therapy, you are the captain of a sailboat, and you’ve invited me to function for a time as your first mate. You choose the direction, the speed, and the way you run your ship; I look for rocks, safe harbors, and malfunctions. Sometimes, I may notice your sailing methods aren’t getting you where you want to go, and I’ll gently challenge you to reflect on and rethink your approach. My main goal is to equip you to handle the seas on your own, such that you’ll no longer need me to navigate life’s storms and unknown waters.

Throughout our process together, I plan to check in with you and hear how you think therapy is going. Are we achieving your goals? Have new goals arisen? Sometimes I may say or do something that rubs you the wrong way, and I want you to feel empowered to bring that up! As your counselor, I am committed to creating and maintaining a harmonious and effective relationship with you.

If you would like me to incorporate Scripture, prayer, or other faith/spiritual practices into therapy, I would be delighted to do so. I have also found expressive and artistic endeavors to be revitalizing and enlightening, so I may suggest one of these exercises. I understand that not everyone considers themselves creative, but sometimes the arts are the best way to access the right side of your brain which houses many mute memories and feelings.

Personal Qualifications and Experience

I completed my undergraduate degree at Baylor University in 2020, earning a B.S. in Mathematics, with a minor in Linguistics. I’ve always had a powerful mind for patterns and communication, and it brings me such joy to apply these in relational settings. Whether it’s noticing patterns of affection in a couple’s relationship or dissonance in their communication, I love making connections that lead to insight and positive change.

I have 10+ years of experience as a tutor, and some of my sweetest times were with my high school geometry students. Encouraging them in a hard school subject and seeing them improve filled my spirit with joy. I have also taken the opportunity to help with an art studio at a local homeless shelter, developing relationships and initiating personal conversations with this disadvantaged population.

Whether I am listening to a friend go through a hard time, playing mediator between couples or family members in conflict, or encouraging the discouraged, I find my stride in prioritizing and championing relationships.

Personal Interests

I am in a loving relationship with my boyfriend of three years, looking toward marriage in the near future! He is a truck driver, so he is away a lot, but when he is home we spend most of our evenings together. We love playing games, spending time with friends, hiking, watching movies, car racing, and most recently, Dancing With the Stars.

My personal hobbies include playing Pathfinder with my Christian community, worship dancing/flagging/singing, going on walks, and playing Pokémon games, old and new.