My personal philosophy of counseling begins and ends with grace and a willingness to enter into an individual's experience alongside them. I entered this field because I feel that I have an authentic listening heart that desires to see people live as whole, healthy individuals.

I believe in holistic healing that takes into consideration the whole person - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I believe that counseling is a pathway for growth and healing. It is an opportunity for the client to explore his or her own thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. By building a healthy therapeutic relationship, the therapist can guide the client in discovering more about themselves, their patterns of behavior, and their core beliefs. It also provides a setting that encourages the client in establishing new, healthy patterns of behavior.

As a counselor, I strive to empower the client to connect to themselves - their current as well as past experiences and emotions - in order to determine the direction they want to take in resolving their dilemmas, ultimately resulting in healing. I use a combination of ACT, CBT, and EMDR to equip clients with skills that facilitate insight and growth. I also frequently utilize humor as a means of connecting with my clients and helping them to find joy along the path to healing.

Overall, my philosophy as a therapist is to treat each person as a unique individual, worthy of unconditional acceptance, regardless of his or her personal circumstances or struggles. It is my desire to come alongside, challenge, and encourage my clients to find healing emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.