Welcome to my counseling website! As a counselor or therapist (these terms are often used interchangeably), I am here to listen, offer guidance, support, skill training, empathy, and encouragement. The most important first step in counseling is to build rapport and a positive therapeutic relationship. As we get to know one another, I will challenge and offer different perspectives when appropriate. You may ask, why would a counselor challenge or offer different perspectives? Well, the answer is somewhat of a take it or leave it kind of answer. If the challenge or different perspective is taken, then it could help provide further insight, help see things differently, develop healthier thinking and behaviors, and instill growth. Offering these can help you break free from limiting beliefs and embrace new possibilities. It is also possible that the different perspective given is meant to just provide “food for thought.” If the challenge or different perspective is not accepted, then that could mean that either it is meant for just “food for thought” as mentioned above or that more time is needed to grow before you can accept the challenge or different perspective.

A crucial part of counseling is working towards improving any problems that you want to work on that may be getting in the way of living your best life. Life has its many challenges, and you do not have to go through it alone. We will identify your goals, figure out an individualized treatment plan that supports growth, and work together as a team. However, you must put in the work outside of session to see consistent and long-lasting growth. In addition to teens and adults, I also love working with young kids ages 6 years old and up. In my work with kids, you can expect similar goal setting and working towards meeting goals. The difference you will notice is that I will incorporate more play, physical activities like my emotion-themed dart board and my anger or anxiety thumbball games, art, and we may end sessions with a board game.

Even though I am a counselor, I am only human too. I am trying to live life with the challenges that are an inevitable part of life. In my personal life, I also set my own goals that I hope to achieve. In the past month, I took many new life steps. For instance, I decided to build my first ever website (this website), implement search engine optimization (SEO) when I had absolutely no idea how to before, and write my first ever blog post. Believe me, setting and working towards goals feels good! It helps build confidence, self-esteem, and positive change.

In future blog posts, I plan to incorporate mental health issues like anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, and more. I most likely will mention my therapy dog, Pippa who provides animal assisted therapy. I cannot wait to write more blog posts and help in any way that I can.