Services
Anxiety
Living in a state of anxiety can be debilitating. The constant worries. The racing thoughts. The physical sensations in your body. Managing anxiety alone feels overwhelming and robs you of full participation in your own life. Together, we can help you understand what makes your anxiety feel louder, and what helps most to quiet it. Sometimes managing anxiety is creating a sense of safety and teaching your brain and body that the danger it senses may not be totally accuurate. Sometimes, it is knowing that the anxious feeling is still there yet continuing to live life without anxiety dictating what you do or don’t get to do.
Chronic Illness
As a mom of a child living with a chronic disease, I understand the physical and emotional demands of managing health while still being able to participate in the activities and elements of life that an individual wants to be a part of. I get the overwhelm of trying to manage responsibilities while not feeling well (both mentally and physically), feeling isolated or misunderstood by peers, not knowing how to communicate wants and needs to friends, teachers, coworkers, bosses, etc, and the many more aspects that may come along with a seemingly invisible chronic disease diagnosis.
Disordered Eating, Body Image, ARFID
Eating disorders and body image mostly go hand in hand. They are an accessible way, particularly for teens and young adults, to manage uncomfortable feelings and find a sense of control in life. If I am focused on my body and food, I no longer need to focus on other aspects of life that might feel scary, unsafe or uncertain. My goal is to help you care for your body from a place of self love and respect and to understand your worth as a human being is not defined by the size and shape of your body.
Sometimes, eating disorder patterns can come from fear related to food. Avoidant, Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) often shows up when someone has had negative or painful experiences related to food. People with ARFID tend to restrict food or only eat specific things or with specific patterns as a way to mitigate the chances of having another uncomfortable experience. ARFID does not typically involve negative self image. ARFID can be isolating and intricate to manage. I am familiar with ARFID (as well as Pediatric Feeding Disorder) and the impact it can have on you and your loved ones lives.
Transitioning from High school to post graduation
When we focus mostly on the excitement of becoming an independent adult, we forget that this is one of the biggest transitions we will ever go through in a lifetime. We tend to emphasize only the exciting parts of this experience which creates a misconception that if someone is struggling, there is something wrong with them. My goal is to help adolescents create realistic expectations for themselves and learn how to reach out to others for support as needed. In creating a community and being open about our experiences, we learn that we are not alone and that we can move through hard things and ultimately create a life we love.
Adolescents and Young Adults
Some of the most incredible and most misunderstood human beings are young people. I work with this age group because I know how important it is to have a safe space and safe person to turn to as you navigate this part of life and get more comfortable understanding who you are and what you value. Oftentimes, having someone bear witness to your life experiences or listen to your story can be the most meaningful part of therapy. For an age group that tends to feel lost, stuck, or misunderstood, the therapy space holds so much value. I typically work with ages 10 years- 35 years.
