She/Her
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Staff Psychotherapist, Intake Coordinator
Supervised By:
I have a tattoo that says “two things can be true” because dialectical thinking – the notion that multiple seemingly-opposing things can co-exist – changed my life. Human life is complicated; Our experiences and identities often can’t be captured through binaries. In that same vein, I believe that healing exists at the intersection of acceptance and change, and that both are crucial as we work to improve our lives.
As a neurodivergent queer person who grew up in the south, I know how important it is to have a safe space to figure out who you are, separate from all of the voices telling you who you “should” be. I sometimes joke that I’m a “professional wonderer” because I’m constantly curious. I ask questions not only so I can better understand my clients, but also in hopes that by wondering together, clients can deepen their understanding of themselves too. I also feel it’s my responsibility as a mental health professional to acknowledge ways that systemic oppression contributes to mental health challenges. Of course trauma and brain chemistry impact our well-being, and I believe that living in a white supremacist, colonized, patriarchal, capitalist society takes a toll on our mental health as well, so we owe it to ourselves and our communities to validate that!
I’m a relational therapist above all else, as I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation that supports all other interventions. I incorporate a lot of DBT and narrative therapy in addition to some somatic interventions and basic IFS parts-work. I’m also a big believer in harm reduction. In the past, I’ve facilitated CBT groups for justice-involved youth and adults, worked in acute and sub-acute inpatient settings, and provided outpatient psychotherapy at a youth center. All in all, my aim is to non-judgmentally meet my clients where they’re at, and with their permission, gently push them in the direction they want to grow.
LCSW, C015056
North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, 2022
LCSW, 149.021141
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2019
MSW
JMSW Program; UNCG & NCA&T State University, 2016
BSW
Appalachian State University, 2012