For as long as I can remember I have been intrigued by behavior and the ability for behaviors to change. As a freshman in college, I majored in psychobiology (animal behavior) and as I walked through some significant life experiences, I realized that I was sparked by human relationships, the intermingling of being in relationship with others and learning about ourselves through that process. Of course, there were my own relationship struggles that led me to seek out my own therapy and through that process, I learned more about myself, healthy relationship dynamics and what it looked like to have flexible healthy boundaries.

 

Early on in my undergraduate work I did an internship with the Rape Crisis Center as a crisis advocate. Through that experience, I was able to experience firsthand the pain caused by trauma and in some cases, relationships gone wrong and that truly helped to expand and shape my desire to become a relationship therapist. I continued on with my work at the Rape Crisis Center through my graduate experience and started working with people who were in abusive relationships, marriages or just relationships where boundaries were not respected. Through this work, I realized that there were not a lot therapists out there that focused on abusive, toxic, or unhealthy relationships. I wanted to provide a space for couples and individuals who want to improve their relationship no matter how bad the relationship has gotten. On the flip side, I also wanted to work with those who are codependent on their relationships and are struggling to get their needs met, their identities back and we work together to rebuild their independence and an understanding that relationships don't have to be that way. I work with couples in all stages of their relationship whether it be that you are doubting yourself, a partner's level of commitment, or contemplating leaving a relationship. Or perhaps you feel disconnected from others, are frustrated by an unsatisfying sex life, or you may even be single and tired of dating. 

 

I have worked in a variety of settings including crisis centers, community mental health centers, shelters, and private practice. Clients can typically find that I’m laid back and will validate and listen to you when you need to vent and process what is going on in your life, but when you need guidance and someone to take the lead I’m not one to shy away from helping you find the path to healing. I see the therapeutic experience through a lens that there are specific markers for what healthy relationships look like and I utilize skills through trauma-focused modalities to help guide us through to those markers and build a strong foundation for your relationship to flourish from.

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I have a B.F.A. in ballet, a B.S. in psychology, and a M.Ed. in clinical mental health counseling from The University of Akron. I am currently a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervision designation in the state of Ohio. In my spare time, I enjoy running, yoga, cooking, gardening, spending time with family, being outdoors, and playing with our two huskies.