About Me

Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and have been working in the field of social work for 16+ years with experience in many different areas, including a chronic pain clinic, psychiatric hospital, traumatic spinal cord injury rehab, youth violence-intervention, and in community and home-based services for families and people with severe mental illness. I have always enjoyed my work, but along with that, I had long felt frustration towards the systems I worked within. After contemplating about working for myself for several years I finally took the plunge in April 2020 when I started my own private practice, Strength & Resilience Counseling, and I am happy to be here!

I am a certified EMDR therapist and have completed Level 1 training in Brainspotting. I incorporate elements from many other therapies and modalities as well, including a Buddhist psychology perspective, parts work, somatic awareness, and mindfulness-based interventions. I have had advanced training in treating psycho-social issues related to chronic pain and illness and am a trained Empowered Relief facilitator. The key is to find what works for each specific person within these general practices. I view the therapist-client relationship as a collaboration to find the most effective solutions, which takes trust, practice, trial and error, and creativity.

I am very humbled and honored to be here. I strive to be aware of my own privileges and biases and how these might affect my work, as I seek to accept people from all walks of life. I aim to listen, to meet you where you are at, to help you deepen your understanding of yourself, to challenge you, collaborate with you on your goals, and give you a safe place to do the sometimes difficult and vulnerable work that is needed to get there.

On a more personal note, when I’m not a therapist I spend my time in my garden and being in nature, traveling, cooking, watching movies, listening to music, reading, and spending time with my partner and two dogs.