what to expect WITH ME AS YOUR THERAPIST
My therapeutic style is warm and welcoming, collaborative and flexible, expert yet open-minded. In sessions, I am active and involved, working alongside you to help you accomplish your goals. My style is driven by a commitment to using our time together effectively because I want you to experience the change you want as soon as possible.
So what does the scientific research say about how people change in therapy? There are two major themes from research that shape what you will get in therapy with me.
The most effective therapy occurs within an authentic relationship. Authentic relationship means sharing your pain but also humor, talking about what is wrong but also talking about strengths, and doing work together but also having a good time when possible. A strong relationship allows you to say what you really need to say, to try new things in a safe environment, and to help make the hard work of change more enjoyable. At the end of working together, my clients and I often find that we’ve formed a meaningful and mutually enriching connection, and I think you will too.
Expertise matters. Accurate assessment and the correct treatment approach are critical for helping people change. Misdiagnosis or an ineffective approach can result in no improvement or sometimes can even cause harm. When we work together, you will know exactly what I am doing and why I am doing it — including the relevant scientific evidence backing it up. Some clients even appreciate me printing out recent journal articles about their issue (which I am more than happy to do). Bottom line, you can trust that we will get to the bottom of what is going on, and once we’ve figured it out, we will take an evidence-supported approach to addressing the issue. You can also read about my specific areas of expertise.
Therapeutic APPROACH
My approach is integrative of cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and interpersonal traditions, and I draw flexibly from these depending on the needs and stylistic preferences of the client. I believe that a good relationship with your therapist is essential for change and make that my top priority as we work together. To support the relationship, I am actively open to feedback, and I regularly provide easy opportunities for letting me know what works well and what could be better.
For most issues, I am also flexible in the methods we use together. If you like handouts and assignments for between sessions or if you prefer a more fluid and relational style with less structure, we will take the approach that fits your personality and your situation. In the same way that medication can be injected or swallowed, there are multiple ways of delivering therapy effectively, and I have invested time and energy to have that flexibility in how I can work.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
I earned my PhD in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University in 2021 and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2014. I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in 2005, where I studied philosophy and music performance.
I have 7+ years of experience providing mental health services to adults and adolescents in the Atlanta area. I had training experiences at multiple college and university counseling centers including Georgia Tech and Oglethorpe University and completed my APA-accredited internship at the Georgia State University Counseling and Testing Center. I also trained at Georgia Pediatric Psychology, at Skyland Trail (one of the nation’s top mental health treatment centers), and in private practice.
Across these settings, I have worked with individuals of diverse identities and backgrounds on a wide range of presenting concerns, including severe and chronic mental illness. My training has also included a variety of treatment modalities including assessment, individual therapy, couple therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, and brief consultation.
I am currently completing my postdoctoral work experience and am supervised by Dr. Drew Adelman, Licensed Psychologist.
