Services
About My Clients
Whether you’re a college student or a retiree, I’m here to support you. I value the unique stories that come from different backgrounds and mental health journeys. I pride myself on building authentic connections with adult clients ages 18 and up. While I share many interests with younger clients, I offer older clients the perspective of a peer who — as one client put it — has “a few miles” on him. My practice is secular and affirms the full spectrum of gender, sexuality, and racial identity.
My Background and Approach
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois. My undergraduate degree comes from Eastern Illinois University, and my Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. • Though I draw from a number of therapeutic approaches to compliment your needs, my work is primarily based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). That’s a fancy-sounding name for a pretty basic concept. CBT centers on the idea that how we think affects how we feel, which affects how we behave, which affects how we think and feel, and... you get the idea. When that loop is grounded in self-support, it reinforces stability and growth. When it’s driven by harsh or shaming self-talk, it can throw things off in painful ways. We’ll map out your current pattern and figure out how the whole system could work better for you.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I’ve worked in a variety of mental healthcare settings, including inpatient hospitals, addiction recovery clinics, and local group practices. These experiences taught me how to sit with heavy topics and help clients find a path forward, no matter how complex the situation. I specialize in helping people navigate life transitions, unlearn unhealthy habits, and manage anxiety and depression. • Just because we’re dealing with serious stuff doesn’t mean we have to be serious 100% of the time. Laughter is a great healing tool. My office is a place where you can cry, vent, and crack a joke about how absurd life feels. I’m a real person, not an AI chatbot. I’ll challenge you, cheer you on, and make sure you leave with more clarity than you walked in with. • I enjoy coffee, houseplants, scary movies, and my black cat, sometimes all at the same time. My pronouns are he/him/his.