Therapy Services
I provide individual therapy for teens and adults using research-supported strategies to help you reach whatever goals and values are important to you.
I specialize in working with people looking for support with:
Suicidal Ideation
Self-harm
Borderline Personality Disorder
Trauma & Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression
Anxiety
Substance Use Issues
Impulsive Behaviors
LGBTQIA2S-related Stressors
Gender Dysphoria & Gender Affirming-Care Letters
Some of these research-supported methods I use include:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment for individuals struggling with persistent or pervasive emotion dysregulation and mood disorders. DBT focuses on helping you understand the “why” of your emotions and behaviors, and teaching you the skills needed to change patterns and build a meaningful life. DBT was created to treat Borderline Personality Disorder, but has since been demonstrated be effective for many mental health issues including suicidal thoughts/behaviors, self-harm, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, impulse and behavior issues, and trauma-related stress. The research shows that DBT works best for those who need it most when done comprehensively - this includes DBT individual therapy, group or individual DBT skills training, phone skills coaching, and DBT therapist consultation. I am currently providing comprehensive DBT treatment for teens & their families or adults with DBT Network of Utah. You can read more about DBT here.
Prolonged Exposure (& DBT-Prolonged Exposure)
Prolonged Exposure is one of the leading evidence-based treatments for PTSD and traumatic stress symptoms. This treatment typically takes 2-4 months of weekly or biweekly sessions to help you face painful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors relating to your trauma. When we experience trauma, our brain and body works overtime to protect us, often leading us to learn that it is unsafe to experience certain thoughts, emotions, memories, or aspects of our life. Prolonged Exposure works by helping us face the parts of our life that we have learned to cut off or avoid so we can reconnect with our values and goals in a safe way. This treatment utilizes exposure practices to learn to accept and tolerate painful memories, beliefs, and build a life where we can safely & fully experience the things that once did or could feel meaningful to us. Learn more here.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is a treatment that focuses on increasing psychological flexibility in order to increase our ability to live in alignment with our values. By learning to embrace and stay present with our pain, we can move away from suffering and towards what works. ACT has been demonstrated to be effective for a wide range of psychological disorders and emotional distress.
LGBTQIA2S+ Affirming Care
As a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, I am intimately aware of the experiences that our community face that can lead to painful emotions and mental health stressors. In addition, I have experience serving the LGBTQ+ community and have completed trainings to ensure I am knowledgeable about best practices for our trans and nonbinary, queer, and Two-spirit community members as they navigate gender-affirming mental health and health treatment. My practice is sex & kink positive, and I am an ally to HIV+ individuals.
Harm-Reduction Substance Use Treatment
I have experience in treating substance use disorders and concerns from multiple perspectives, and practice treatment from a harm-reduction approach, meaning I am here to support you in your substance use regardless of if your goal is abstinence or not. We know that abstinence may work for some, but not for all, and safety should always be the priority regardless. I have received specialty training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Substance Use, Harm-Reduction principles, Motivational Interviewing for Substance Use, and I am knowledgeable about 12 Step communities if stepwork and meeting rooms are an important part of your substance use journey.