Frequently Asked Questions

There are a few ways! Fill out the form on my contact page, call me, email me or click request consultation. If you request a consultation, it will lead you to book a 20 minute phone consult with me. This is complementary - we will chat about what you are looking for in therapy and how working with me might help. Then we will book your first appointment!

No. My goal is to work myself out of a job with you. I do not keep people in therapy longer than they need. The length of time will depend on your goals. I may make recommendations, however, you ultimately have the power to dictate your treatment.

The first couple sessions, we will be discussing what has been going on that has led you to therapy and we will design a treatment plan for you. After that, sessions look a little different for everyone, depending on your goals. For example, I may teach you skills to manage symptoms, provide psychoeducation, and use therapies designed to help you meet your goals.

This depends. Some people see me weekly, some every other week, some once a month. If you are doing EMDR, it is most effective to come weekly during the re-processing phase. You have control over how often you would like to meet. Sessions are 50 minutes.

You and I will work together to define exactly what you want to get out of therapy. We will identify a goal or two and will lay out exactly what we will do to help you reach your goal. Treatment planning is individualized; I do not use standardized planning, as I do not find this to be effective.

I enjoy incorporating my Christian faith into my practice for clients who are interested in this. I often find a focus on spiritual health augments healing. I do not push religion or faith on anyone. If you are interested in incorporating your faith into our work together, please let me know!

Trauma is a broad term used to describe experiences that leave us feeling distressed. No need to worry if you are “traumatized enough” or “sick enough.” If you are feeling that you haven’t quite been able to move on from something, you’re in the right place.

EMDR stands for eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing. It is a treatment modality that helps people process through disturbing experiences with the goal of decreasing distress related to these experiences. It stimulates your brain to process information and heal at an emotional level. More traditional talk therapies often lead to healing at an intellectual level, where the person has increased insight into the trauma, but the emotional reactiveness around the original trauma is still there. EMDR often leads to a deeper level of healing. Visit https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/ for more information.

Probably. Can I say yes with 100 percent certainty, no. Everyone is different and everyone responds to treatment differently. There are other treatments in addition to EMDR that can lead to healing. If you are someone who has tried talk therapy and still experiences distress, EMDR may be an effective treatment. Healing happens on an emotional level. Feel like you understand your past and have worked to “get over it,” and yet still feel distressed or plagued by intrusive thoughts and memories? EMDR can help with this.

I’ve always been very interested in the impacts of past trauma. As a young clinician, it didn’t take me long to realize the majority of people I was seeing described some sort of trauma history. I saw some results using traditional talk therapy to help people verbalize and come to terms with their past. I found people quickly gained insight and understanding into how their pasts impact them today. And don’t get me wrong, this can be very powerful. But insight is not healing. Insight is understanding. It is one thing to understand how our past experiences impact us, and it is another thing to feel healed on an emotional level. I find with EMDR, people achieve the emotional healing they are seeking.

I know I talk a lot about trauma and EMDR, but I’ve got a few other tricks up my sleeve too! I use cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, narrative therapy and skills building techniques, among others. I also integrate Christian faith and spirituality for those who are interested in this.

No. Trauma is a specialty and a passion. I have experience working with an array of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, mood disorders and psychosis. Many of these concerns arise from past trauma, so I do find when we explore symptoms, trauma often does play a part, but not always.

I have a Master of Social Work degree from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work (class of 2016). You’ll notice my letters are LICSW. This stands for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. I am licensed to provide psychotherapy in Massachusetts. In addition, I was trained in EMDR in 2019 through the EMDR International Association.

I worked at a community mental health clinic, providing therapy to people with an array of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, psychosis, trauma and PTSD.

I'm mama bear to my children, Theo and Caroline, and my fur baby, Winnie! I love to be outside - walking, hiking, visiting local parks, soaking up the sunshine. I grew up in New Hampshire and love visiting the mountains too - I go up to the mountains to visit family every month! You might also find me spending hours upon hours in the kitchen cooking, baking, and experimenting with new recipes. I’m also always up for learning a new board game.

Yes! I started telehealth in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic rocked all of our worlds. I am now seeing cleints in person, but I continue to offer telehealth for those who prefer it. I use a HIPPA compliant telehealth platform to ensure your confidentiality.

Yes! I am located at 586 Main St., Shrewsbury. MA 01545.

If you had asked me this a year ago when I began offering telehealth for the first time due to the COIVD-19 pandemic, I would have said “probably not.” I’m a creature of habit and I love being with people. However, a year into providing treatment via telehealth, I am pleasantly surprised with the outcomes, and I do find my clients are just as successful at reaching their goals.

Yes! And I find it just as effective as in-person.