Guiding Principles

Balance is a necessary part of a satisfying life. In my work, I strive to balance support and gentle challenge to help people find a balance of acceptance and change that improves the quality of life and relationships.

Every person has strengths- both internal (like courage or motivation) and external (like a supportive family or safe environment). My role is to help uncover and tap into these strengths as a base for growth.

Behaviors make sense if you understand the context. My role is to help uncover the purpose of behaviors that may not be effective so that people can determine what changes need to happen to feel better.

People have the right to make decisions for themselves. It is not my job to tell you what to do or not to do, it’s my job to help you explore and examine and process so that you can make informed decisions.

Oppression, discrimination, and unequal power dynamics cause trauma. My goal is to always provide a safe, accepting, and open environment where the impact of power and oppression can be discussed openly. I want my space to be a place where people can feel safe to challenge me in areas where I still need to grow.

The work of therapy can be hard and uncomfortable, but there is also room for  humor and lightness and celebration in the therapy space. I look for those opportunities to use the healing power of joy. Again, it's all about balance: there are things that are hard, and things that are okay.