Therapy with me is a space to dump all the things going on in your part of the world. Then, we will work together to take inventory of what was dumped, re-arrange or glue some items back together, and file them in a way that makes life feel less cluttered and overwhelming. Being able to bring your full, authentic self to therapy-whether humor, sarcasm, vulnerabilities, or interests-is how to get the most out of each session. I am warm and validating but direct where appropriate. I value the use of experiential activities such as games, activities, stories, and creative outlets to work on skills like tolerance threshold, but also to build skills like patience, identifying areas of challenge in a different week, and overall rapport.
In my office, there will always be a basket of fidgets for us both! I provide a flow in sessions that are more like a conversation than an interrogation. While I will ask about your dogs, cats, and favorite shows, we will also discuss the hard stuff in a way that feels like a natural part of the session. I help provide some structure and guidance, but you are in the driver’s seat each session. This means your feedback on any ideas or questions thrown out is welcomed and encouraged! I want to hear about what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t. There will also be instances where I explain the underlying science of things like thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to build better self-understanding and therefore a higher likelihood of identifying tools that will be beneficial long-term.
I am a late-diagnosed ADHD and 2E individual who is also a mother and stepparent to children that are neurodiverse in a variety of ways. This brings a unique perspective and understanding of those who are also neurodiverse including youth, teens, and parents. Being ADHD gives me a superpower for picking up on patterns in behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that we can then acknowledge and break down to find root causes that otherwise might not have been uncovered.
My therapeutic approach is one that works well for individuals who experience autism/ADHD burnout, racing thoughts, frequent overwhelm, low motivation, inability to find joy in things, difficulty sticking to routines, constant worrying, and feeling lost or like you don’t know who you are. If you are someone who is seeking support in building skills that may be odd at first, but work to improve your daily life, then I am the therapist for you. If you prefer someone who simply listens and provides support and encouragement as you learn about yourself and how your beautiful brain works, then my office is a great place for you. If you are someone who just feels like they are struggling and can’t quite put a finger on what is happening or why, let’s explore this together!
Outside of my office, I enjoy watching practically any show (especially reality TV), listening to the newest hit song of most genres, catching up with the latest pop culture news, watching Harry Potter for the millionth time, spending time with my family and pets, or researching all the ways to organize/run a home in neurodiverse friendly ways.
Specialties: Neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism, Gifted, 2E, Late Diagnosed, or Undiagnosed but Suspected), Children 2-12, Adolescents 12-18, young adults 18-25, Neurodiverse families and couples, Parenting, depression, anxiety, complex trauma, body image, chronic illness/pain, and disordered eating
Locations: Inver Grove Heights
