SPECIALTIES
What I Work on With Clients
I specialize in four things, because I've found that when you pull on one thread — people-pleasing, say — the other three usually unravel with it: boundaries, anxiety, and how you see yourself.
PEOPLE-PLEASING & BOUNDARIES
When "Keeping the Peace" Costs You Everything
People-pleasing often begins as a strategy — a way to stay safe, earn love, or avoid conflict. Over time it can harden into a default mode that leaves you feeling invisible, resentful, and unsure of what you actually want.
In therapy, we explore the roots of this pattern with curiosity and without judgment. Together we work on recognizing your own needs, finding your voice in relationships, and learning to set and maintain boundaries that feel authentic — not scripted or forced.
This work is for you if you often feel responsible for others' emotions, say yes when you mean no, dread conflict, or find yourself shrinking to keep the peace.
Anxiety
When Your Brain Won't Stop Running Scenarios
Anxiety and people-pleasing often show up together — the same brain that's scanning a room for what everyone else needs is also running worst-case scenarios about what happens if you get it wrong.
I use CBT to work directly with the thought patterns that fuel anxious spirals, and mindfulness-based tools to help you get out of your head and back into the present moment when your body's on high alert. This isn't about never feeling anxious again. It's about anxiety not running the show.
self esteem
The Voice in Your Head Isn't Objective
Low self-esteem rarely sounds like "I hate myself." It sounds like constant second-guessing, minimizing what you've accomplished, and measuring your worth by how useful you've been to other people that day.
We work on identifying that inner critic for what it is — a pattern, not a fact — and building something more honest in its place. Not empty positivity. An accurate, steadier sense of who you are.
Questions About Whether This Is Right for You
It's normal to wonder if therapy is the right fit, or whether your struggles are 'serious enough.' These questions come up often. Here are some honest answers.
Do I need a specific diagnosis to start therapy for this?
No. Most of my clients aren't in crisis — they're stuck in patterns they're tired of. That's a legitimate reason to start.
What does progress actually look like in these areas?
Progress rarely looks like a sudden breakthrough. More often it's quieter: noticing a pattern before you're already caught in it, pausing before automatically saying yes, speaking up in a situation where you previously would have stayed silent. Over time, those moments accumulate into real change.What if I don't know how to set a boundary without feeling guilty?
That's most of the work, honestly. The skill of setting a boundary is the easy part. Tolerating the guilt that shows up right after is what we actually practice.
Do you take insurance?
I accept insurance and also offer self-pay rates. See the Getting Started page for details, or reach out directly with questions.
How long does this kind of therapy typically take?
There's no single answer — healing unfolds at your pace. Some clients feel meaningful shifts in a few months; others engage in deeper, longer work. We check in regularly on your goals and adjust as your needs evolve. You're never locked into a predetermined timeline.Do you see clients outside of Norfolk?
Yes — I offer telehealth to anyone located in Virginia or South Carolina.
Your Story Deserves to Be Heard
You deserve a place where your voice is heard, your story is honored, and your healing unfolds at your pace.
If you recognized yourself anywhere on this page, that recognition matters. Reach out when you're ready — there's no pressure, only an open door.
