How I Work...
I utilize an integrative therapeutic approach that includes aspects of person-centered theory, multicultural counseling theory, and womanist theory, which allows me to meet each client where they are. I believe that much of the healing process is within you, allowing you to begin to understand yourself and others in more profound ways. My work often includes guiding clients in learning what is theirs to hold, and then letting go of or engaging differently with things they cannot control in order to act in a way that enables them to feel authentic and free. If you are ready to feel liberated from the expectations of external sources and learn that it is okay to put yourself first, I am prepared to support you in that journey!
​
Sometimes that journey includes....
​
Anxiety
People might assume you just "have an attitude", but in reality you're overwhelmed by the unknown and upcoming events. You might find yourself stuck between the pressures of people pleasing, procrastination, and perfectionism. Even though it leaves you exhausted, you find yourself constantly mentally preparing for the worst case scenario because it makes you feel like you still have some control over the future.
It drains all of your energy, but you typically end up saying "I'll just do it myself" because that is easier than asking for help or waiting for someone to assist you- and you assume they wouldn't be able to do what you need as well as you could do it anyway. Rinse, repeat.
​
Let's call it what it is- anxiety. Together, we can break the cycle so you can start to operate from a space of intention rather than apprehension.
Depression
You haven't been able to connect with lasting feelings of joy or happiness for a while. It feels like you've just been going through the motions and you only have enough energy to go to work, come home, and get in bed. Maybe you're isolating yourself from your friends and loved ones because you don't want to burden them and you don't want them to notice how much you're struggling with basic things.
It feels like you're just existing rather than enjoying your life, and you're stuck on survival mode rather than thriving and connecting with abundance. There is space for you to understand what has been weighing you down and learn how to release it and reclaim your desire to be an active participant in your own destiny.
Perfectionism
Is the "superwoman schema" getting in your way? Maybe you're used to being the one who has it all together, who doesn't ask for help, and who makes all of those achievements look easy- but you're starting to realize that this facade is exhausting. Maybe your fear of failure or fear of being seen as weak is starting to make you feel trapped.
But who told you that you had to do everything alone and do it well anyway? Together, we can explore the role of perfectionism on your life and choose how you want to represent yourself- as a real human- moving forward.
Life Transitions
Transitions come to us as an event (moving, graduating, breaking up, starting a new job or relationship, experiencing a loss) or a mindset (you can just feel in your spirit that it is time for a change). There might be this feeling of "what's next?"
Transitions can be exciting and scary. Together we can take inventory of where you are and where you're going to make sure you are showing up as the best version of yourself as you enter the next season of your life- or even work to define what that season might be.
Identity Exploration
You might be starting to realize that somewhere along the way you lost touch with you. Maybe you're starting to wonder if you ever knew who you were in the first place. Maybe you've experienced rejection for trying to be yourself and it's been hard to try again.
Often we are so used to performing and conforming to the real or imagined expectations of others, that we don't give ourselves the chance to define who we are and be fully seen and known. If you are ready to take a journey to discover the unapologetic you- we can walk together.
Faith, Spirituality, Deconstruction
Defining deconstruction: "I have learned that many of us have not given up on our faith, just the way our faith has been used to oppress others."
(Dante Stewart, "Shoutin' In The Fire")
​
​
Whether you have experienced "church hurt" but still want to explore how religion and spirituality have shaped who you are, or you're already solid in what these concepts mean to you and want them to be validated and addressed as a part of your healing- we can work it out. Either way, you deserve a space to explore, to ask questions, and to lean into what matters most to you.
​
​
T(t)rauma
Let's not forget that "little t" trauma- or repeated threats to emotional safety or continual invalidation of your identity over a period of time- can be just as painful and disruptive as "big T" trauma- or experiences that cause you to fear for your life or the lives of those you love. There is space to explore the impact of both of these on your life and learn how to take control of any leftover survival instincts that may be getting in your way.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), focused therapy used to reprocess traumatic events by engaging in bilateral stimulation of both hemispheres of the brain, is available upon request.
College and Career Stress
Our society presents unique challenges and barriers for Black women and women of color, and often the spaces where we spend most of our time mirror the worst parts of these barriers and challenges. Whether you're experiencing stress due to not feeling like your peers and professors understand you, or you're feeling silenced and shut down due to not wanting to be seen as "the angry Black woman", we can explore how to let your authentic self shine through.
