My Approach
My approach is relational; therapy is collaborative rather than prescriptive. I have a holistic, strengths-based approach. I don't like to pathologize. I believe that anxiety and depression are nervous system responses indicating a lack of safety or control. Whether behaviors are adaptive or maladaptive, I believe in looking at our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through curiosity and compassion. Together, we can help us find patterns, identify limiting beliefs, and pave a path toward understanding and healing. I know firsthand that therapy works, and I am genuinely invested in every client I work with. You want a therapist who gets it, and I get that.
My office is located within Ampersand Counseling Group, located at 17 E Kansas St. Liberty, MO
In-Person Therapy
I offer in-person therapy sessions that allow us to meet in my office in Liberty, MO. The in-person therapy experience is the most traditional approach to therapy. This looks like we'll be sitting & talking about presenting problems, current stressors, or therapeutic goals. Often, I will include experiential tools or tangible resources to help facilitate our work together. If you live in the Kansas City metro (whether in MO or KS) and want to come to my office for sessions, I've worked hard to create a warm and cozy space for us to chat. You can grab coffee or hot tea in the waiting room for our sessions. I hope you feel welcome and safe in my office!
Things that In-Person Sessions Can Offer You:
Nonverbal Communication: Being in the same physical space can allow the therapist to have greater awareness and discernment of subtle body language, physical presentation, and movement, often limited by screens. These contextual details can help uncover information that may be unknown to the client and are beneficial in deepening the therapeutic work.
Neutral Location: In-person therapy provides the comfort and exclusivity of a "neutral" place, one other than your room, house, apartment, or car. This provides a greater sense of privacy and a place to meet to do therapeutic work purposefully.
Added Resources & Intensive Support: With my playful approach, I love incorporating different tangible tools and resources into my office. If you decide to do therapy online, there will still be resources and tools I can send virtually. Still, in-person therapy is an excellent option if you enjoy more textile and tangible experiences!
Virtual Therapy
I offer virtual therapy sessions for my Missouri residents! Although I love seeing my clients face-to-face, I love virtual therapy sessions for all the fantastic benefits they can provide people! Think of virtual therapy as bringing the safety, warmth, and resources of the therapy office to the comfort of your home. All you need is a stable WiFi connection, a phone, laptop, or tablet with a camera, and headphones. Similarly to in-person sessions, therapy looks like talking about presenting problems, current stressors, or therapeutic goals. Although we may need to modify some experiential aspects of the session, I still employ a playful and active approach to therapy virtually. Like all therapy, confidentiality, and privacy are emphasized just as much in the digital space. All sessions are hosted on HIPAA-compliant systems like TherapyNotes Client Portal or Google Meet.
Things that In-Person Sessions Can Offer You:
Don't Waste Your Time Commuting: Whether you live 20 minutes or 3 hours from my office, the beauty of virtual therapy is that physical barriers become less of an obstacle to therapeutic work.
No Need to Change Out of Your Comfy PJs: Although you are welcome to wear your PJs in the office, there is just something about getting cozy in your own space right before a therapy session that makes one feel comfortable and safe.
You Can Schedule Therapy During Your Lunch Break: Since therapy is only a click away, it is so much more accessible during your work day! If evening sessions feel out of the question, this is a great way to make time for yourself that doesn't strain your schedule.
My Methods & Training
In sessions, I incorporate Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Mindfulness as a roadmap to creating lasting change for my clients.
I am worthy
of love.
What is Acceptance & Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps clients stay focused on the present moment and accept thoughts and emotions without judgment. Accepting where one is at in the current moment allows the client to move forward through these difficult experiences to heal. This model starts with accepting emotions and feelings that may feel out of control and mindfully accepting the experience. Then, the model focuses on direction by committing to a direction moving forward while resisting the temptation to dwell on the past. Finally, the model focuses on action by taking charge and making the conscious decision to stick with the positive direction one has chosen.
What is Internal
Family Systems?
Internal Family Systems is a type of therapy that believes that we all have several parts living within us that fulfill both healthy and unhealthy roles. Life events or trauma, however, can force us out of those healthy roles into extreme and rigid roles. Drawing from structural, strategic, narrative, and family therapy theories, IFS aims to identify the different parts within you and their designated roles, befriend and understand each part's fears and purpose, and develop self-leadership in achieving internal balance.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness-based interventions are therapeutic approaches grounded in practices that include present-moment awareness, meditation, and breathing exercises. Mindfulness emphasizes the mind-body connection by helping clients connect their emotions and thoughts to the sensations in their bodies.