About
My Approach to Therapy…
While coping skills are important and needed, I believe lasting change comes from an increased awareness and understanding of the complexities and strengths already within oneself which is why much of my work is driven by relational, psychodynamic and Internal Family Systems (IFS) principles. This means that I want to understand how you relate to yourself, others and see the therapeutic relationship as a powerful agent of change. Together we will access and explore all aspects of your humanity including past and present experiences with a sense of curiosity, empathy, insight and even humor at times.
While majority of my work is driven by these relational principles, I will tailor my approach to each of my individual clients. This is going to vary based on your goals, presenting challenges, personality, and what we find together feels right for you! Depending on your goals, I might occasionally incorporate skills from mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and motivational interviewing in our work together to further foster desired growth. I am also trained in EMDR and incorporate this in my practice as needed.
My work is strongly grounded in the principles of Health At Every Size (HAES) and intuitive eating with an anti-diet/fat-positive approach. I work with clients of various backgrounds and value understanding how systems of oppression may have impacted you throughout your life through a social justice lens. I am cis/het, able and thin bodied white woman and am consistently working to further understand my own privileges.
I strongly believe that you don’t need to be in crisis or significantly struggling to benefit from therapy. We all deserve to feel fully seen and get to know ourselves in a deeper and more compassionate way.
I work with clients navigating a variety of challenges and transitions in life, but I specialize in providing therapy to individuals recovering from an eating disorder/disordered eating (including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, orthorexia, ARFID, and OSFED), body image struggles, athletes, pregnancy/postpartum depression and anxiety, grief, trauma, college students, life transitions, identity exploration and generalized anxiety and depression.
A Little More About Me…
I grew up in Georgia and came to Pennsylvania for my undergraduate studies and have been in the Philadelphia area since. It was during my undergraduate experience that I discovered the value of therapy and it offered a space for me to learn to connect to myself, others, food, and my body in an adaptive and authentic way. My life experiences and continued growth through my own therapy have fueled my passion for empowering others to reconnect to their meaning and purpose in life too.
In my free time, you can find me spending quality time with family and friends, on the couch or on a walk with my rescue dog Daisy, trying new restaurants, or at the yoga studio.
I See Therapy As a Space to..
Gain insight and awareness
Feel seen, heard, and connected
Hold hope in times of distress
Get to know one’s thoughts, behaviors, and sensations in a deeper way
Explore identity
Challenge distressing thoughts or behaviors that are no longer serving you
Try new ways of relating to yourself and others
Become more in tune with your intuition and body
Be kinder to yourself
Explore your values and beliefs
Process trauma
Understand the impact of systems of oppression
Dismantle engrained beliefs that don’t align with your true self
Resonate with any of these?
Reach out to book a free consultation call
I believe strongly that you don’t need to be in crisis or significantly struggling to benefit from therapy. We all deserve to feel fully seen and get to know ourselves in a deeper and more compassionate way.
Education and Credentials
Education
B.A. Psychology from Lafayette College
M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Villanova University
Advanced Trainings/Certifications
EMDR parts I and II (by EMDR Educators, an EMDRIA approved training)
Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMHC) via Postpartum Support International
Licenses
Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor (PC014936)
Delaware Professional Counselor of Mental Health Interstate Telehealth Registered Provider (MI-0000003)
Vermont Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (068.0135397)
New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor (37PC00935100)