Through Internal Family Systems Therapy I help adults in Lee’s Summit overcome anxiety, depression, and trauma to reach the goals they have and be the person they want to be. No matter how many times you try, you feel like you’re not making progress. Something always seems to hold you back and you’re not sure how to change it. You don’t understand why you seem to fight with yourself and make choices you’re unhappy with and don’t want.

You’re not alone in this. Many people have this same struggle. As a therapist, I love helping people get to know themselves and find their own strength to pursue their biggest dreams. I’ve undergone my own big life shifts and I enjoy helping people do this as well. I understand the risks it can take and I want to encourage others that they can take those steps and pursue their dreams. My training as a mental health provider prepared me to work with a wide range of clients. However, I’ve taken extra training and gained particular experience working with a few more specific types of clients.

Some of my specialties as a therapist include:

● Internal Family Systems (IFS)

● Mindfulness and Meditation practices

I graduated with my Master’s in Counseling from the University of Missouri Kansas CIty in 2019. I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2022 in the state of Missouri. I was also trained in Internal Family Systems in 2022 and have seen how effective it is in helping people learn about themselves. I’ve continued to educate myself in IFS and even assisted another training program in 2024. Over the last few years, I’ve deepened my skills and have learned how to adapt therapy to fit with each person I meet.

I became a counselor after a career in electrical engineering because I wanted to more directly help people. I have a deep interest in community and relationships and I wanted to help people find and build those connections. This led me to learning about psychology and shame to understand how to help with the struggle of connection and loneliness. I was deeply influenced by Brene Brown and her research on shame and vulnerability. Her words helped me understand that the world of therapy had the tools to answer the questions I had.

I discovered IFS in 2017 at a Trauma Conference in Massachusetts. I saw first hand how quickly and effectively this model helped people get to know themselves and their internal world of thoughts and feelings. Ever since, I have been pursuing IFS training and knowledge to be better able to show up for my clients and create the connections that everyone is looking for. I help people by first getting a clear understanding of their goals. Then I help them slow down and pay close attention to all the thoughts and feelings they have and discover the inner conflicts that keep them stuck. I hold space for all the thoughts and feelings and help people learn we don’t have to reject anything. By staying slow and attentive we can uncover old hurts and feelings that drive our most confusing behaviors. I firmly believe that when we listen enough everything will make sense eventually.

As a Therapist, I embrace the following philosophies:

● All parts welcome. Every thought and every feeling is allowed to show up

● Slow is fast. When we try to rush past things, we miss what’s important.

● Bitter is a flavor. Everything is an experience that we can find meaning in

Books that I often recommend:

● Daring Greatly - Brene Brown

● Rising Strong - Brene Brown

● No Bad Parts - Richard Schwartz

Fun Facts About Me

● I still see myself as an engineer with an addiction to excel spreadsheets

● I love to play and I believe most adults don’t do enough playing

● I like puns

● I ride a recumbent tricycle