Please note: I am not accepting new therapy clients and I do not have a wait list.

The Basics: Professionally, I am a licensed psychologist, which means I have my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and I am currently licensed to practice in both Kansas and Missouri. I consider myself to be direct and transparent as a therapist, and I identify most with the humanistic/existential approaches. I like to balance between following a set protocol from an evidence-based technique, but also listening to my clients about whether it is working for them. Goodness of fit is so important to finding the appropriate method of therapy. The best way for us to achieve results is through direct communication and openness. I consider it my responsibility to be open to change, and I will always encourage my clients to listen to their gut! I keep a smaller client caseload so I am familiar with all my clients and I remember most of the details of our sessions without reviewing notes. This is both sustainable for me as a mental health provider so I do not experience burn out, and it provides the optimal relationship for someone in therapy. However, I am definitely human so if I don't remember something correctly, please feel free to correct me! 

More About My Approach: Therapy provides a healing relationship, within which the client can achieve change. However, this does not mean I can wave a magic wand and solve anyone's problems. The best results are often achieved in therapy through the client practicing skills in their every day life, making changes to priorities, setting new boundaries, and sometimes even changing professions or jobs. I solidly do not believe that "just listening" will resolve your problems, but it may serve as a catalyst for you to make lasting changes that will solve your issues! I also do not give advice; this is something you could receive from friends or family and it would not be a therapeutic service. Instead, if you are seeking advice I would work on listening to your own priorities and values and seeing how you really feel about an issue at its core. A lot of times we have multiple perspectives which can make decision-making difficult. Giving advice may only serve to muddy the waters. I want you to be in touch with your inner compass and feel confident making decisions that are right for you, regardless of how others react. Remember, we do not have control over others, only ourselves. 

Clients Who Are a Good Fit: I work best with clients who are committed to showing up to therapy on a regular basis. For this reason, I do not recommend therapy on less than a weekly or biweekly basis (every other week). If we only meet every 3-4 weeks, we will simply spend that time catching up on what's happened and then we'll be out of time. I don't want to waste your time or your money to give little to no results. Our time is the most valuable thing we have.

Empathy Comes First: I try to always consider things through the client's perspective, and I would never advise a client to try a recommendation that I haven't tried myself, or that I wouldn't try if I was in their same situation. I also take into account financial situation, personal limitations, and current stressors when we talk about an approach. Although trauma processing can be life changing in a positive way, it can also be overwhelming if your stress levels are at their maximum and you have no good coping skills. I am trained in approaches from crisis interventions to long-lasting trauma work to be able to appropriately triage your needs. I am also available for short check-in calls so my clients can have direct access to me in case of an emergency or crisis. I usually have same week availability if we need to schedule a sooner appointment, as well.

• Aetna (employer based plans)
• Aetna Better Health of Kansas 
• Bind 
• Blue KC/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (Kansas and Missouri)
• Cigna
• Home State Health 
• Show Me Healthy Kids
• Optum
• Oscar
• UMR
• United Healthcare
• United Healthcare Community Plan 
• Sunflower Health Plan