About
My background
I am originally from Raleigh, NC, where I began working in the mental health field in 1999 – in numerous areas such as group homes, foster care and adoption, family therapy, couples therapy, and individual therapy. I currently live with my hubby and school-aged kiddo in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, NC, where I moved in 2013.
My area of interest is working with people from all walks of life, from tweens to late adulthood, who are seeking support to create positive changes in their lives. My approach is strengths-focused – we will identify your strengths and figure out how they can help you reach your goals. I find myself to be open-minded and non-judgmental with people, and I love to use humor in my sessions! I am also the biggest Michael Jackson, Rocky, RuPaul, and Golden Girls fan you’ll ever meet, so be prepared.
With over 25 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of individuals facing various mental health concerns.
My journey
My journey has been a personal one. For over 25 years, I grappled with yo-yo dieting, food restriction, overexercise, and battled with body image dissatisfaction. In my quest for a “solution,” I discovered that it was difficult to find resources for what I was going through; there just didn’t seem to be enough clinicians or support for individuals of color and those from marginalized communities. It felt as if the narrative was confined to certain people, leaving many of us without the support we needed.
That’s why my practice now focuses on eating disorders as well as mood disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder — areas where I have not only professional expertise but a deep understanding born from personal experience. I believe that every journey is unique, and the path to healing should be as well.
A safe place
Here, you’ll find a safe space where your experiences are acknowledged and embraced. My commitment goes beyond our therapy sessions; it’s about building a relationship with you that understands the diverse facets of your mental health concerns. Whether you’re wrestling with eating disorders or seeking support for Borderline Personality Disorder, mood disorders, gender or cultural issues, you’re not alone.
Let’s embark on this journey together, breaking free from the limitations imposed by internal judgment and external expectations.
Your story is valid, friend, and so are YOU. You’re never “too much.”
I have trained in several therapy modalities including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing. Together we can find what works for you and the goals you want to achieve.
Note
Therapy isn’t always about “feeling good”; sometimes, it’s about leaning into what feels uncomfortable to foster real growth. I may gently challenge you to step outside your comfort zone, and while it might feel strange at first, it’s part of learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. There’s a “method to my madness”—I promise! If you trust me and trust the process, you’ll discover just how powerful this journey can be.
I utilize a nuanced approach to health and wellness, recognizing that more than one thing can be true at one time. I describe my therapy as working in the “messy middle” to reflect the nuanced approach between two extremes, such as diet culture and anti-diet culture. I’m not the average eating disorder therapist because I focus on more than the absence of the behavior; I address what to do “when” people have the urge to engage in the behavior (such as eating or restricting).
Ready to go beneath the surface?
Many people come to therapy feeling stuck in cycles of self-criticism, emotional overwhelm, and food struggles. Together, we’ll focus on what’s underneath and build kinder, more sustainable ways to respond.
