Growing up, my mom and I would visit Appalachian State University to cheer on the Mountaineers, and our shared love for Boone eventually led me to complete my Bachelor of Social Work at Appalachian State. During my undergraduate training, I worked with children and teens in summer camps and afterschool programs and provided individualized therapeutic support to children on the Autism Spectrum. I also interned at Oasis, Inc., supporting adults who had experienced intimate partner and sexual violence through education, outreach, and advocacy.

I earned my Master of Social Work from UNC-Chapel Hill, where I worked with at-risk children and families through Family Centered Treatment. My work focused on helping families remain together by giving parents and children practical skills to create and maintain meaningful change.

Today, I work with children, teens, and adults with a range of emotional and mental health concerns. OCD and anxiety are particular areas of focus in my practice, and I have specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for the treatment of OCD. I enjoy helping clients better understand the cycle of anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and compulsions and gradually build the confidence to respond differently.

I am currently pursuing licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and certification as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).

Areas of Focus

• Children & Teens: My approach with children and teens focuses on helping them express their emotions, understand what they are experiencing, and build confidence in ways that feel natural and authentic to who they are. I work with concerns including OCD, anxiety, ADHD, emotion regulation, school difficulties, and relationship challenges. For children with OCD, I incorporate developmentally appropriate ERP strategies to help them gradually face fears and reduce the compulsions, avoidance, or reassurance-seeking that can keep anxiety going. I value parent involvement and help caregivers learn how to support their child's progress at home.

• Adults: I work with adults experiencing OCD and anxiety, as well as those wanting to process past and present experiences that have shaped who they are today. For OCD, I use ERP to help clients recognize patterns of intrusive thoughts, anxiety, avoidance, and compulsive behaviors and practice responding in healthier ways. I also help adults work through self-doubt and negative thought patterns, better understand and express emotions, build confidence, and develop stronger relationships.

• Safe and Sound: A listening therapy that uses specially filtered music to help calm the nervous system and interrupt the fight-or-flight response, promoting emotional regulation, stronger connections, and an increased sense of safety.

  
  

Clinical Expertise & Support

I am qualified to treat a variety of mental health concerns and help individuals navigate complex life challenges, with particular focus and additional training in OCD and anxiety, including:

• OCD and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms

• Anxiety and Adjustment Disorders

• ADHD and Executive Functioning Challenges

• Depression and Mood Disorders

• Stress Management and Self-Esteem

• Relationship Difficulties and Women’s Issues

• Life and Career Transitions

• Trauma-Informed Care

• Social Skills and Emotion Regulation

• Parent and Family Support

Therapeutic Approach

I am passionate about helping adults, children, and families feel empowered to understand and express their emotions in ways that feel safe, healthy, and authentic. I want therapy to be a place where you feel supported and understood while also learning practical skills that create meaningful change outside of the therapy room.

For clients with OCD, I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), an evidence-based treatment specifically designed for OCD. Together, we work to understand how OCD operates, gradually practice facing feared thoughts, feelings, or situations, and reduce the compulsions and avoidance that reinforce the OCD cycle. With children and teens, I adapt this work to their developmental level and involve parents when appropriate so families can learn how to support progress without unintentionally strengthening OCD.

Depending on your individual needs and goals, I draw from several evidence-based and developmentally appropriate approaches:

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

• Strengths-Based Therapy

• Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) for younger children

• Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

I strive to create an inclusive and affirming space where people of all identities feel welcomed and supported. Whether we are working on OCD and anxiety, emotional regulation, relationships, past experiences, or family challenges, my hope is to help you feel more confident in yourself, more connected to the people who matter to you, and better equipped to navigate challenges in everyday life.