In addition to having a PhD in Clinical Social Work and being a Licensed Master Social Worker, I have over 15 years of clinical experience providing mental health services for trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, grief, and family and relationship issues. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Emotionally Focused Therapy skills, Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy, Internal Family Systems skills, parts work and ego state therapy, DBT, TF-CBT, and am a Certified Trauma Specialist. I also am an educator and teach social work at the collegiate level.
I take an approach that interweaves a variety of modalities that best fits the needs of the partners who seek my services. It is my honor to walk alongside you as you work to strengthen your most important connections.
I welcome individuals from all walks of life and embrace the uniqueness that each person brings to this world. I look forward to working together to help you live your best life. You are worthy of love and respect. You are worth fighting for.
About Me
“If I want to grow and blossom as any tree would, I have to start by knowing my roots and understand how I came to be the tree I am.”
― Jeffrey G. Duarte
Do you find yourself asking:
“Why do I sometimes try to please my partner to the point of negating my own needs or pushing down my own feelings?
Why does my partner lash out or run away when I try to vocalize my concerns or criticisms?
Why do I “check out” during sex or push myself to do things I'm not comfortable with because I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint my partner(s).
Why does my partner get mad at me when I ask for space … but also get mad at me when I want to spend time together?”
Relationship counseling can take many forms – as relationships come in all shapes and sizes! When working with relationships we will discuss the “dances” that happen when the different internal parts of people come together in ways that push, pull, activate, and want to run away.
Our past informs our present and future, regardless of whether the past was happy and secure, or painful and traumatizing. These relationship frames can permeate through all kinds of relationships in adulthood – and when we look deeper, we can often see patterns.
We’ll work as a team to map out any early experiences of trauma and how early relational blueprints can impact feelings of current trust and safety. By noticing the underlying attachment needs that drive our emotions and somatic reactions, we can be more aware of our patterns, better understand ourselves and our partners, and open the door to enhanced communication and compassion.
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