An LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Compared to other mental health counseling degrees, LMFT’s receive more training in relational therapy, including couple or family therapy, and we have specific requirements for continuing education in relational therapy to keep our license active. LMFT’s also receive extensive training in understanding the connection between personal and relational needs and how our previous relationships (including family, romantic partners, and friends) affect our sense of self and patterns of behavior.

Being an LMFT gives me a unique understanding of how mental, emotional, and social factors influence our satisfaction in relationships and personal well-being. With my commitment to ongoing education as an LMFT, I am proficiently trained to work with individuals and couples struggling with relational issues, the transition to parenthood, or healing from trauma.

A PMH-C is a Certified Perinatal (pregnancy and postpartum) Mental Health Counselor. The certification was created by Postpartum Support International (PSI) due to the prevalence and potential severity of untreated maternal mental health issues and because there is a risk that treatment from a professional who does not have comprehensive training and experience working with perinatal mental health can inadvertently cause more harm to someone at such a vulnerable time in life. PSI developed a certification curriculum to differentiate practitioners with the adequate training and professional experience who can advertise themselves as qualified perinatal mental health counselors using the PMH-C designation.

To become certified, I completed a curriculum including at least 20-hours of specialized training in perinatal mental health, obtained over two years of specialized professional experience, and passed a certification exam. I am required to attend annual continuing education in perinatal mental health to maintain certification and to help me stay up-to-date on best practices and evidence-based treatment approaches for treating perinatal clients.

I provide individual and couple therapy for clients residing in Illinois and Utah. I received specialized training in pregnancy and postpartum therapy and couple therapy, and I have experience working with a variety of issues, including anxiety, grief, childhood or relational trauma, life transitions, self-worth and identity, and work/life balance.

My approach to therapy is grounded in evidence-based practice, and my style is direct and collaborative to meet the unique needs of each client. It is important that therapy feels like an effective use of your time, and I work with you to identify goals and develop a plan for therapy that respects what matters most to you. I am trained in and use interventions from Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Relationship Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), attachment theory, and mindfulness practices.

I am dedicated to providing a safe, judgment-free space in therapy and I exercise empathy, warmth, and compassion as you work towards your goals. All individuals, couples, and parents are welcome and deserving of support, including members of the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.

Generally, online therapy works similarly to in-person therapy. We talk, and I help guide the conversation based on my understanding of your goals for therapy. Sometimes I listen and provide space for you to express your feelings, and other times I engage to help you achieve new perspectives or provide tools for better communication in your relationship. In plain terms - we still work together like we would in person, and we focus on what we need to help you start feeling better.

Logistically, online/virtual therapy is when we meet for therapy by video, so you can join by computer, phone, or tablet in whatever location is most convenient for you that offers privacy and a stable internet connection. At the time of our appointment, I will send an invitation by email that includes the link you can follow to join the appointment on a HIPAA-compliant Telehealth platform. If you are using a tablet or phone, there is an app you need to download ahead of time that will open automatically when you open the link from the email invite.

Every client has unique needs and a singular perspective that needs to be respected, and every therapist has their own approach and style to providing counseling services. The best way to know if we are a good fit for working together is to have a brief conversation ahead of scheduling an appointment where you can tell me about what you are wanting help for in therapy, and I can provide insight to my therapy approach and experience. Through this conversation, I can assess if I have the knowledge and training necessary to provide you effective therapy, and you can learn more about what to expect from working with me.

For therapy to be productive, you need to feel safe to be honest about your feelings and needs. If you are feeling like we are not a good fit, I will do my best to support you in finding another provider who can better meet your needs.

We will spend the first portion of the appointment going over the intake paperwork, and I will answer any questions you might have about the practice policies. After we complete the business end of things, we will spend most of the first appointment talking about what brings you to therapy and your goals for therapy.

I will ask questions that I ask all new clients - we may not get through all of them, and that is okay. At the end of the session, I will provide recommendations and an outline of what therapy can look like moving forward based off of the goals for therapy we identify together.

No, I cannot prescribe medication - this can only be done by physicians or nurse practitioners. I frequently collaborate with medication providers, and I work with clients to assess if medication is an appropriate intervention to use alongside therapy.