ABOUT
I tailor my approach to the needs and goals of each client. Some seek a more directive and solution-focused approach, whereas others simply desire empathic listening and validation of their current experience.
My Approach
I believe becoming more skillful in working with our mind is essential to overall health.
To know and understand the self is an important gateway to creating a meaningful life and reducing suffering. I aim to meet you wherever you are in our work together, and guide you toward growth and relief with a mix of compassion, warmth, reflection, and skill development. Your own strengths, wisdom, and perspective are essential ingredients to this process. We will work collaboratively to mobilize your inner resources and change patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you.
I tailor my approach to the needs and goals of each client. Some seek a more directive and solution-focused approach, whereas others simply desire empathic listening and validation of their current experience. I draw from a multitude of theoretical orientations and therapeutic modalities to meet your goals, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma (CPT), Exposure Therapy, and 12-step principles. I am committed to using interventions backed by sound psychological research and incorporating new research findings and techniques into my practice. I often incorporate aspects of integrative health, such as nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and mind-body practices. I also find the field of neuroscience to be endlessly fascinating and informing of psychological experience, so I do a fair amount of education and discussion of the brain in therapy sessions. And finally, I strongly value a multidisciplinary approach to supporting clients, seeking to communicate and collaborate – when deemed helpful, appropriate, and given informed consent – with your primary physician/pediatrician, psychiatrist, fellow therapists, family members, teachers, school counselor, employer, legal professional, or other relevant health care providers.
My Background
I was drawn to psychology as a senior in high school and never wavered in pursuing an education and career as a practicing clinician. I studied psychology and women’s studies as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where I participated in research and volunteered at the University hospital and a local women’s shelter. Drawn to clinical practice over research, I attended the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, an APA-accredited doctoral program. I was fortunate to experience specialized training in health/rehabilitative psychology and neuropsychology via practica at two different Veteran’s Administration (VA) hospitals in Chicago, as well as a private suburban hospital. I then completed a pre-doctoral internship at a suburban Cook County hospital.
I absolutely loved the marriage of medicine and psychology, and furthered this interest while gaining an entirely new set of skills and expertise in chemical health during my post-doctoral hours at Hazelden’s Center for Youth and Families (now Hazelden Betty Ford) in Plymouth, MN. I spent seven years there providing assessment and individual/group psychotherapy on both primary and long-term residential treatment units with youth ages 14-early 20s, as well as providing psychoeducation and support to their families. I also conducted chemical health assessments and did therapy with youth and adults in the outpatient mental health clinic there. I became a licensed psychologist along the way in 2005 (MN License # 4651).
I have been in private practice since 2011. While I continue to specialize in chemical health issues, I have enjoyed broadening and deepening my practice in many other areas, including mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, trauma, grief, relationship and parenting concerns. I feel privileged to form more long-term relationships with clients in private practice, and consider it the highest honor to be a trusted partner with them in addressing important life matters. I am welcoming and affirming of all backgrounds and identities, and center my approach around the unique life context of each client.
