I help people dealing with mood disorders, PTSD, complex PTSD, substance use, ADHD, relational and romantic issues, family conflict, and more.
Have you had trouble finding a therapist who understands your life experience? I match well with people who haven't been able to relate to a therapist before. Many of my clients are fed up with Western medicalized approaches to mental health care. As someone who has lived my life outside traditional social norms, I enjoy supporting people who refuse to give up their authenticity.
If you need help with substance use problems -- or if drugs are simply a part of your life -- I specialize in harm reduction psychotherapy, which accepts a person's drug use as one facet of their lives and doesn't attempt to coerce them into sobriety. With compassion and understanding, we are free to honestly talk about drugs without shame. Exploring a relationship with drugs can be a powerful tool for understanding onesself and our relationships with other people. I have been supporting people who use drugs and educating communities about safer use for 15 years. I have experience counseling parents, teens, and adults.
Are you struggling with your relationships? Are you non-monogamous or polyamorous? Are you rejecting the usual scripts and expectations in your partnership(s)? Let's talk! Creating healthy relationships outside prescripted norms can be challenging and fulfilling, fun, and healing. Every difficulty is an opportunity for growth and connection. If you need support with relationships -- or if you simply want a nonjudgmental therapist who understands this part of your life -- we might be a good fit.
Sessions take place virtually or in-person at my office in Takoma Park, MD. Clients in Maryland, DC, and Virginia can see me virtually. I'm currently taking clients as young as 12.
You can schedule a free consult with me here. During the consult, we talk about your goals, intentions, and expectations. I'll ask about previous experiences in therapy. If we're a good fit, we'll start with a 90-minute intake evaluation which looks at the psychological, biological, environmental, and social factors in your life. We continue with 55 minute sessions using a variety of techniques including somatics, polyvagal exercises, and meditation. Everything we try is an invitation so that you can find what works best for you.
On you on a Maryland Medicaid plan? Contact Synergy Family Services and ask for me during the initial evaluation.
Initial Evaluation: $225 (90 minutes)
This first meeting helps me understand important factors in your life including your employment status, relationships, previous experiences in therapy, physical and mental health status, strengths, and goals for therapy.
Psychotherapy sessions: $150 (55 minutes)
Sessions are guided by what you are hoping to gain from therapy. Based on where you are in each moment and your preferences, I offer different options for ways to approach your goals. This includes guided meditation, visual exercises, reviewing interesting educational resources together, movement, simple somatic (body) practices, self-acceptance exercises, exploring the multiple parts of the "self", Polyvagal exercises (nervous system regulation), sound, and vocal practices.
Each of these methods offers something unique. Here are a few examples:
> Methods like parts work and visual exercises, are helpful for befriending and working with challenging parts of ourselves. For example, we might have a "part" that criticizes others when we feel insecure.
> Polyvagal exercises help build our capacity for self-regulation. This allows us to return to a state of rest and connection. In this regulated state, we can deal with difficult experiences with more ease.
> Movement and vocal practices help release the manifestations of stress built up in the body by giving that stuck energy somewhere to go. This can support the release of chronic muscle tension, pain, and fatigue.
> Meditation helps us get out of patterns of reactivity, turn towards difficulty, and allow ourselves to feel a fuller range of emotions without getting hijacked out of the present moment.