Hello!
Thanks for investing in your care and coming to me! Let me tell you a little about me, my training, and my approach to therapy. This way, you can start deciding if we may be a good fit!
I am originally from Cincinnati, OH and most of my family is still there. I went to Miami University for my undergrad, University of Dayton for masters-level training, and then I graduated with my psychology doctorate from Wright State’s School of Professional Psychology in 2021. I have been in supervised training since 2013, but became licensed after earning my degree. I have been independently licensed and practicing in the Dayton area since 2022. Currently, my husband and I are settled in the West Chester area with our two poorly trained dogs!
My approach to therapy is a collaborative one. I am an integrative feminist therapist which means I analyze the larger systems/roles/forces that are impressed upon us. As well, we can examine how they are serving (or hindering) us. Integrative means that I incorporate strategies and skills from other theoretical approaches in order to meet the needs of each individual I am working with. I also pull a lot from strengths-based approaches so we can utilize what is already working to build on what is causing pain. As I mentioned, building relationship and rapport with clients is the most important part of this work and so I will bring authenticity, some humor, and radical acceptance.
LIFE Psychology LLC
Full transparency-picking a unique practice name is hard! My friends and family likely needed their own therapy after my many texts asking for their help/opinions. But, I finally chose the acronym “LIFE” to stand for LOVE, INSIGHT, FREEDOM, and EMPOWERMENT. These words are key components to the work I like to do with folks.
Building self-love is something that is often lifelong for many people. Each person is the only constant in their life, so why not build that relationship up to be one of radical love and acceptance. Even if there are some things we want to work on, self-compassion and kindness are helpful ways of getting there.
A big part of feminist theory involves consciousness raising which involves building insight about the ways in which larger systems/roles impact us. Additionally, building insight into how/why we operate the ways we do can foster change. Often, people have things that are working and things that may be hurting self/others.
I would love to help foster a freedom from some of the larger forces that end up boxing us in. This also includes gaining freedom from the patterns that have become established. Our experiences often contribute to developing these “roadmaps” which can be helpful but also can sometimes take us places we don’t want to go. Therapy may be a way of building new roads for a better journey.
Empowerment is the last piece of the name. These patterns/systems/forces are strong and it is easy to become stuck. I hope to be a positive element/force/guide for those I work with so they can feel empowered to make changes that may bring them closer to self-love and living within their values. Change takes time and we will work at your own pace.
