Let’s face it— we all have “stuff.”
But nothing brings up your “stuff” like health challenges, especially pelvic health conditions.
I believe everyone can benefit from therapy, but finding a good therapist with experience around your specific concerns is important.
Read on to see if you think we’ll be a good fit for one another.
I work with women, especially BIPOC women, who feel their lives and relationships have been derailed by their health. Chronic conditions and pain can be so unpredictable and overwhelming. Trips to the doctor can be aggravating and unhelpful.
Loved ones try, but often don’t understand. You’re trying to navigate the fears, frustrations, and beliefs that come up while trying to live the life you imagined and dealing with your health. You need assistance in taking back some control.
I love working with women who have these challenges because I can relate. Over-functioning is normalized, but it’s hard to function at all when your body feels so out of control. For some, you just try to push through and hope things get better. But it’s exhausting. For others, the frustration and hopelessness has taken over. You don’t see a way forward to do the things you have to do let alone the things you want to do.
Through my own experiences of trying to show up and exceed expectations while living with pain and uncertainty, I have become dedicated to supporting women with health challenges.
You Don’t Have to do it alone
I am here to help you:
– Understand the pain
-Create a plan to help you manage your symptoms
-Find clarity about what’s really important to you
-Build a life that works for you filled with joy and meaning
-Examine limitations in the narrative you tell about yourself and your body
-Break the cycle of thinking you should be doing more, doing too much, and overloading yourself
My values
authenticity
I keep it real with people. I am straightforward and always myself in sessions. That means at various times I’m (charmingly) weird, silly, and serious. I will challenge you to be yourself too.
compassion
Often you feel misunderstood and unsupported by loved ones, and challenged (or even traumatized) by medical providers. In this virtual space I will meet you wherever you are with kindness. I know you are doing the best you can.
acceptance
There is nothing we can’t talk about and nothing that is not okay for you to say. I’ve definitely heard, and probably said, worse. It’s rare you find people speaking openly about their health and the challenges they face. This is a judgment-free space where I hope you feel safe to express whatever it is you need to express.
levity
What’s life without whimsy? We’re talking about deep, sometimes sad, things. But laughter is an important release. Laughter allows us to let go of discomfort and tension. I joke with people that I am a ray of sunshine. We will laugh.
gratitude
I feel privileged to meet women in what feels like the darkest times of their life and walk with them. I believe gratitude is a practice in appreciation and you will see that in our work together. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to help guide people while they build lives filled with joy and meaning.
Wondering about my background?
I earned my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘Em Horns!) and my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Southern Methodist University. During school I focused my education and trainings around patients with medical issues.
After graduating I completed a two year fellowship in clinical health psychology, which means I’m specially trained to consider how physical health and mental health impact one another. I’ve worked with people with all kinds of medical concerns. From cancer, HIV, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, and even major traumas like burns and spinal cord injuries. I also have a wide range of experience with depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Contact Me Today to Talk
I’d love to talk about how I can help. Set up a free consultation.