Specialized Populations

Substance-Use/Abuse/Addiction Support

Having lived through the challenges of addiction, I possess a deep understanding of its complexities and the often-misguided approaches that have emerged over the years. My personal experience has given me insight into the nuances of addiction, from the initial struggles to the ongoing recovery process. I've witnessed the evolution of treatments and the pseudoscientific theories that have sometimes hindered, rather than helped, those seeking recovery. With personal experience informing my approach, I bring a nuanced understanding and an analytic perspective to addressing addiction, tailoring support to each individual's unique needs and grounding it in evidence-based practices. Contrary to outdated beliefs, addiction is not a lifelong sentence. With the right approach and support, healing is possible. 

Psychosis & Schizophrenia 

Living with schizophrenia can be challenging, but with the right support, individuals can manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Providing a safe and understanding environment to address the complexities of these conditions are essential for success.

Other struggles include psychosis, disassociation, and hallucinations. These symptoms can significantly impact daily life, relationships, and overall well-being, making it crucial to seek the right professional help and support.

These symptoms can be triggered or exacerbated by stress, trauma, or certain environmental factors. Managing them often requires a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. With proper treatment and support, individuals can learn to cope with their symptoms and improve their quality of life, often living symptom and medication free. 

Veterans/Civilian Contractor

 Specifically designed to support the mental health and well-being of military veterans and civilian contractors. It addresses unique challenges faced by veterans, such as, readjustment into civilian lifestyle, PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance-use, and relationship challenges. 

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be tough. We'll work together to navigate the challenges you're facing, whether it's adjusting to a new routine, finding a sense of purpose, or building a support network. My goal is to assist in your pathway that feels right and provide assistance and support to process your experiences and emotions, and to help you find your footing in civilian life again.

Adoption, Kinship, Donor-Conceived, Surrogacy 

This specialized form of therapy is for families navigating unique challenges and strengthening relationships focusing on the neurobiology of attachment. This approach provides support for experiences and that have gone unanswered and seeking a deeper understanding of the emotional, psychological, and social needs of all family members who may encounter various life-long challenges. Client's benefit receiving support in areas that involve identity formation, attachment and relationships, emotional processing, including exploring and reconciling their sense of self, cultural heritage, and personal history.

De-Programming

My approach to working with individuals who have experienced life within cults or the troubled teen industry is grounded in trauma-informed, person-centered care. Having briefly worked within the troubled teen industry myself and having personal experience with the psychological dynamics of high-control systems, I bring both professional and lived understanding to this work. Survivors of such environments often carry deep wounds related to identity loss, coercive control, shame, and learned dependency.

In therapy, I provide a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can begin to rebuild autonomy, reconnect with their sense of self, and learn to trust their internal voice again. Together, we explore the psychological and emotional impact of these experiences—gently uncovering layers of conditioning and fostering self-regulation, empowerment, and authentic decision-making. My goal is to help survivors move beyond survival and reclaim a grounded sense of agency, purpose, and belonging.

Deprogramming in this context is not about confrontation or persuasion—it is about compassionate education, reflective dialogue, and reestablishing cognitive freedom. I integrate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process traumatic memories stored in the body and mind, reducing distress and reframing past experiences with a sense of mastery and choice. Alongside EMDR, I may use parts-based work, play therapy interventions, mindfulness, and psychoeducation to assist clients in reconnecting with their inner resources. My goal is to honor each person’s pace of healing while helping them reconstruct a healthy, self-directed identity beyond the control of any system or ideology.