I am a licensed clinical social worker providing individual therapy for a diverse array of adult clients.  I have worked in human services, mental health, and child welfare settings in Baltimore City and Baltimore County since 2000, obtained a Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland in 2007, and practiced as a full time therapist since 2018.  

I believe that warmth, humor, and good rapport are as important to therapy as the theoretical approach or model being used, and I strive to cultivate a place where first and foremost, my clients feel fully welcome and validated.  This creates the best conditions for some of the harder work that may follow, depending on what changes need to be made or difficult feelings and experiences need to be faced. I have found that most clients do not want therapy-speak or jargon, but do best when, together, we build a language and framework that accurately describes what you are experiencing, and then create room in that framework where meaningful change and healing can take place.  

Having worked with trauma, addiction, and those with difficult family backgrounds, I have found that sometimes the magic of therapy is offering what I call “gentle accountability without shame”.  This might apply even if you do not have trauma or a difficult family history, but perhaps have anxiety or ADHD that is interfering with your relationships, work, or self-esteem.  One of my favorite therapy approaches is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT—and yes, this one has a bit of jargon at times), because this approach emphasizes a person’s integrity and core values as the best guide in life, especially when navigating fears, worries, depression, strong emotions, relationship challenges, and life transitions. 

I welcome clients from all cultural backgrounds, including people of faith, those with a secular worldview, and members of the LGBTQ community.  Some people have found me because they are looking for a male therapist, and I enjoy working with men who are wondering if therapy has something to offer them, or any clients who may be skeptical about therapy or have had a bad therapy experience before but want to try again.  

I see clients in the Towson office as well as by telehealth in the state of Maryland.  In general, I prefer to meet clients in person at least a few times, and use telehealth as needed if we agree that it is workable and appropriate (not a rigid policy, just my overall view at this point after the pandemic). I am in network with Carefirst / Blue Cross, United, and Cigna plans, and out of network with Aetna, Kaiser, and most others.  I ask that clients become familiar with their insurance benefits as it relates to therapy (for example, if you have a deductible that applies, and what your plan expects as far as a copay or co-insurance for sessions), this helps both of us!