Eating Disorder and Substance use Recovery in Midtown Atlanta

Your decision to enter therapy can feel both empowering and risky, because therapy requires you to invest a certain level of trust and vulnerability.  I promise to treat you with compassion and respect, regardless of what you disclose. You can expect me to provide a consistently warm, empathic, direct, and active presence.  I believe wholeheartedly in authenticity and transparency - which means that I will be real with you, and I will at times challenge you. We will definitely laugh, maybe a lot. I know that therapy can be a powerful and transformative experience, and I will do my part to provide that experience for you. Beyond alleviating your current distress, my goal is to help you to deepen your connection to your authentic self so that you can cultivate your best life.

Therapy Process: My approach is collaborative and client-focused. We’ll begin by establishing treatment goals, identifying what you hope to be different as a result of our time together. As your therapist, I will address your immediate and pressing concerns while working to understand and explore longstanding patterns of coping and relating that you may want to change. We will work toward your letting go of unhealthy behaviors, developing alternative ways of coping with difficult stressors or intense emotions, finding freedom from your inner critic, connecting with your authentic self, and developing more fulfilling relationships—and/or building a life that you believe is worth living. Because the quality of our relationship will largely determine how successful your therapy will be, I will remain open to honest feedback about your experience of our work together and will, at times, solicit that feedback. I tend to be be goal-oriented and patient, relatable and professional—balancing research-based interventions with an organic, creative approach—while staying focused on you and your needs.

Clinical Specialties and Training: I specialize in treating individuals with eating disorders, substance use disorders, and PTSD. I also have experience helping people heal from depression and anxiety; working through issues related to LGBTQIA identity development; and navigating relationship concerns, career issues, and stress related to transitions and balancing multiple life roles. I have been trained in and integrate a range of therapeutic approaches, including humanistic, dialectical behavioral, psychodynamic, experiential, emotion-focused, and relational/interpersonal orientations, as well as trauma-processing models. I received my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University’s APA accredited program, my Master of Public Health degree from the University of Georgia's College of Public Health, and my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Erskine College. I completed my pre-doctoral and post-doctoral clinical training experiences at several different university counseling centers, and I have experience with culturally diverse clients ranging in age from early adolescence through late adulthood.

In addition to providing psychological services, I have experience implementing substance misuse prevention, intervention, and collegiate recovery programs in university settings; conducting research, teaching multiple collegiate courses, writing, and consulting with competitive student-athletes, teams, and athletic departments. I have co-authored a book about group therapy in school settings (Group Work In Schools, 2013), as well as peer-reviewed articles about substance use and eating disorders. I have presented research at national conferences and led workshops for a variety of audiences about wellness, women's issues, eating disorders, substance use disorders, mindfulness and athletic performance, and secondary/vicarious trauma among helping professionals. My interest in lifelong learning and professional development motivates me to stay current with regard to research and evidence-based practice. This, in turn, enhances my clinical work.