It’s hard to be your authentic self when everyone around you invalidates your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, questioning or telling you what to do and how to feel. To keep the peace you’ve probably tried all sorts of ways to please these people, yet you never really seem to gain their acceptance for more than a few moments. You still feel judged and now, in addition, you’re feeling more and more distant from who you really are, assuming you even know what that is anymore. Self-doubt and self-criticism are developed over time, as we listen to the world around us tell us we aren’t good enough. Despite this, I believe we really do have the answers inside of us, if only we’d stop seeking external permission and acceptance from others and focus on what our own heart and mind are saying. I can help you to feel more empowered, to express yourself more authentically, and to be kinder and gentler to yourself all while living a value-focused life.

In the therapeutic setting, I believe strongly in the mindset of art-as-therapy, that the act of creating itself is therapeutic. I employ a combination of person-centered and CBT approaches within the context of art making and talking, in order to help you tap into what you already know but might be fearful or anxious to explore. Finding your own answers and solutions to challenges will ultimately result in the most deep and enduring healing. I also know that this takes practice, and I make an effort to truly listen to you, helping you feel heard and understood. I want you to feel valid, and while I am not the ultimate authority on how you see yourself, I can help you see what it looks like to feel accepted for who you truly are at any given moment, no matter the challenges you have faced. I work to meet you where you are in your journey, teach you ways to cope in the moment, and begin to gently move forward and explore your deeper self, so that you can live more authentically and meaningfully.