So, what’s therapy with me like?

I know talking to an adult you don’t know can feel super awkward, so I’ll always follow your lead. We’ll move at the “speed of trust,” as adrienne maree brown puts it. You never have to tell me anything you don’t want to, and everything you do tell me stays between us (with a few exceptions for safety, which I’ll make sure you understand).

We’ll spend our time together talking about whatever is bugging you, with the goal of helping you feel better now and cope better in the future. We might work through obstacles to getting started on that essay that’s been stressing you out; we might talk through the thing that happened on the group chat (yes, I want to read the texts!), or how lonely you’ve been feeling lately. We might do art together if you’re into that, or we might play a game, or go for a walk. Sometimes we’ll just talk. My dog, Bonnie, might join us for sessions if that sounds good to you.

Sometimes therapy is heavy and hard, and sometimes it’s awkward, but a lot of the time it just feels like having a good heart-to-heart with someone you trust who makes you feel understood and supported. Every person is different and needs different things, so therapy looks a little different for everyone. We’ll figure out what works best for you.

One thing is always the same, though: I want to hear your thoughts, feelings, and worries, I take them all seriously, and I can help you learn to tend to them so you can move through the world with a little more ease. I listen without judging, and I’m always looking for the best in you so I can reflect it back (especially when you can’t see it yourself). I’ll help you build awareness and skills and take accountability when you need to, but I’m also (probably) the only adult in your life who never has to tell you what to do.

I’m also a really good question asker, which means I’m good at helping you understand what you think, feel, and need and what’s getting in your way. My goal for our time together is to help you thrive as the most authentic version of yourself. If you don’t know what that is yet, we can figure it out together.