Let me start by saying that I think I may have the perfect job. I love being a psychologist and can't help but bring that energy into the room with me when I'm meeting with clients.

​

I graduated from Penn State in 2010 with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. While there, I grew tremendously as a psychodynamic and feminist therapist. After I completed my post doctoral training (also at Penn State), I moved to Tennessee. I worked at Cherokee Health Systems (now River Valley Health) for a couple of years before transitioning into my own, solo practice.

​

What does psychodynamic mean to me? It means that I believe our early experiences and relationships are incredibly impactful. The lessons we learn in childhood (both helpful and hurtful) influence so much about our adult lives, from the ways we treat ourselves to the kind of relationships we find ourselves in.

 

Psychodynamic therapy doesn't mean we only talk about the past. It also doesn't mean we try to find people in our past to blame for our problems. ​Instead, it means we look to the past to understand what patterns have come to be over time. It helps us to tease apart what is actually happening in your life now from what happened before.

​

My time with clients is spent talking about relationships. Your relationships with friends, family, co-workers. It also means talking about your relationship with yourself. It pays to notice your own internal voices which may be critical or judgmental.

​

How about that feminist therapy piece? I'm glad you asked! ;) Society and culture have a tremendous impact on us (again, often, in both helpful and hurtful ways). Discrimination, privilege, economic forces, and the "personality" of our local community are some examples.

​

In terms of specializations, I've collected quite a few across my years of practice. I have particular interest in working with mental health providers seeking personal therapy, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, chronic health conditions, career-related issues, ADHD, and parenting adult children. My work is informed by the Health At Every Size (HAES) and Intuitive Eating (IE) movements. Born and raised on a farm in Ohio, I love the opportunity to work with fellow Midwesterners. 

 

With that said, I am a generalist at heart. If a lot of what you've read on this page resonates with you, then it's a likely sign that we could be a good fit.​