I am a Licensed Psychologist in the state of North Carolina. I work with individuals who have a variety of concerns, but I particularly enjoy working with clients who are seeking help with chronic pain, coping with health problems and chronic illness, women’s health issues (such as infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or postpartum depression/anxiety), anxiety, depression, trauma, and sexual difficulties. I specialize in clinical health psychology, which is the study of how feelings and behaviors impact physical health and well-being, and vice versa. I've received extensive training in medical settings with a variety of patient populations, including women's urology/chronic pelvic pain, women's behavioral health (including perinatal mood disorders and infertility), cardiology, oncology, family medicine, and weight management. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the mind-body relationship, and I am particularly attuned to the ways that emotional factors, such as stress and relational conflict, can impact physical health and vice versa. I believe that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to psychotherapy.
In our work together, I will use techniques that are grounded in psychological science to create a carefully tailored treatment plan for you based on your needs and preferences. I use a variety of evidence-based therapy modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. After we meet and I learn more about your history and concerns, we will work together to decide which treatment approach would be best for you. The overarching goal that unifies all of the work I do as a therapist is to provide a safe, supportive environment to actively approach difficult - but important! - feelings, behaviors, and situations in pursuit of better mental health and quality of life.
An important thing to know is that my approach to therapy is active and collaborative. Psychotherapy is sometimes described as "talk therapy," and I think this can give the impression that therapy is just about venting. While sharing your story with an empathic, supportive listener is an important part of the therapeutic relationship, there's more to it than that. We will make the most of our time during sessions by uncovering what needs to change - perhaps a situation, a way of thinking about yourself or the world, a behavior, or a way of relating to your feelings (such as ignoring them, fighting them, or getting "stuck" on them) - and then exploring and practicing methods to make these changes happen. My goal is to help you address the barriers that are getting in the way of the life you want and to help you learn the skills you'll need to continue to progress, even after our work together is done.