As someone who is LGBTQIA+ and grew up in a conservative community I know how living inauthentically can impact you. Navigating sexual and gender identity within a religious context can be challenging, and often brings about experiences of shame, denial, and repression. What starts as suppressing your emotions ends up as ongoing depression and anxiety as you continually make choices to minimize conflict rather than truly meet your own needs. I want you to know that it is possible to both feel better and create a life that is unapologetically yours.

I strongly believe in the healing power of art. I feel that the art-making process is inherently therapeutic, and lends itself to further reflection and inquiry. It allows us to connect with our inner selves through symbols, shapes, and colors, unlocking insights that might be hidden from our conscious awareness. I’m particularly drawn to the meaning of symbols and the stories they can reveal about us. Integrating mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, and meditation into sessions is also part of my practice. I find these tools can be helpful in enhancing self-awareness and can be utilized as lasting coping skills. I also love exploring dreams with my clients, as, just like artwork, I believe they can tell us so much about our inner world. I often work with clients on feeling more like your authentic self, improving your self-esteem, learning healthy coping skills, improving communication and boundaries, developing self-compassion, and learning to trust your own judgment and decisions. Overall as your therapist I hope to share new perspectives and ways of seeing, while creating a safe space for self-reflection. This is a place where you are welcome to show up as your full self without having to make yourself smaller or act like how you think you should be.