As a child and teenager, I personally struggled with anxiety, particularly related to social situations and academic performance. I often felt held back and overwhelmed by my anxiety. Fear of rejection made it hard for me to reach out to friends, and fear of getting less than an A made me spend excessive time studying.

Over time, I developed many of the skills I now teach in therapy. I learned to challenge unhelpful thoughts and step outside my comfort zone, participating in activities that made me uncomfortable. Through this process, I realized my anxiety was not based on logic but was a trick my mind played on me. I rewired my brain to no longer see threats in social or academic situations.

My training reinforced my own learning, as I studied effective and evidence based strategies for teaching these skills to others. My clinical experiences taught me how to help others learn the skills necessary to effectively regulate their emotions.

Most of us will develop emotional regulation skills over time, but development occurs at different rates. Waiting for these skills to develop naturally can lead to years of struggle and frustration for my clients and those around them. Fortunately, we can help this development along with education and skills training from a therapist.

I love watching my clients grow in their emotional understanding and remove limits caused by dysregulated emotions. This process of growth should be exciting and celebrated!

I understand that seeking help can be difficult and may bring a sense of shame. I want my clients to know that seeking help is not a sign of failure or weakness but a sign of progress and growth. I am here to support you in this journey, helping you navigate and overcome challenges with confidence.