I hate reading professional bios on websites. I get my hopes up that I might learn something about the person I’m reading about, only to be disappointed by their bio, which reads like a glorified business card. The thing is, it’s really important that you get a feel for who I am if you’re even considering therapy with me. You will want to get a sense for if we are a fit before you schedule.
Since this is a therapy website, I guess it makes sense to share why I do what I do. We live in a society that values individualism and independence. Freedom and autonomy are encouraged, and that’s a good thing; but have you seen the recent mental health statistics? The bottom line is that our society is depressed, anxious, and lonely. With over seven billion people in the world, what’s making us so lonely? Societal focus on individualism and independence has taught us to look out for ourselves, find a significant other that will meet our needs/make us happy. The problem is that for many couples, the balance between each partner’s independence, needs, and happiness doesn’t neatly fall into place. This causes a lot of confusion between partners whose endless attempts at compromise fail to resolve the conflict exacerbated by each partner’s competing needs. So, in short, I’m a therapist to help couples figure out how to have fulfilling relationships without giving up their identity.
I bring my whole self to the therapy room. That’s therapist speak for I’ll sound like a real person. You can expect me to be an active participant in the sessions. I’m not just going to sit there and ask “how did that make you feel?” That doesn’t mean I won’t ask how you feel though.
Well I’m almost out of space on my glorified business card, so I’ll wrap it up. I earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Loyola University Maryland. I am licensed as a clinical professional counselor, and certified as a professional coach. In addition, I have advanced training in the psychobiological approach to couples therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
When I’m not being a therapist, I try my best to practice what I preach. My husband and I have been married for 16 years and have two children. We’re opposites who figured out how to work on the thing we have in common, our relationship.