While I specialize with a few specific groups (couples, families, school-aged kids, those seeking holistic healing), I’m happy to work with anyone who is motivated for change or willing to put in the effort needed to overcome the roadblocks that bring them to therapy. We aren’t looking for perfect by any means; just a desire to be a better person than who you were when you came to meet with me 🙂

Nope and nope! While I myself am Christian, I’ve worked with many Buddhists, atheists, Jews, wiccan and a few others over the years; we’ve done great work together.

I believe that EVERYONE has spiritual beliefs, even if that belief is in nothing. It informs who we are and how we make decisions. If you choose to work with me, you hire me as a counselor first and not a spiritual leader. My goal, if this area is important to you to address in our work, is to gain clarity, understanding and direction on how spirituality influences the way you make meaning of your life.

Above all else it’s only important to me if it’s important to you. If we decide it doesn’t relate to what brings you in, we don’t have to touch it with a ten-foot pole!

If you got a chance to fill out the paperwork we covered on the initial phone call, you get bonus points added to your account ;). If you don’t have a way to fill them out and email me back or print them and bring them in, we can always complete that in the session. Where there is a will, there is a way! That paperwork must be completed before we get started.

After paperwork, I’ll be covering the main things going on in your life right now to assess what we need to work on first. After that (usually the second session), we go over the treatment plan to include any goals you want to achieve through our work together.

It depends 🙂 Some people come for a few weeks and feel they’ve gotten what they need, and others come for years. I encourage everyone to attend weekly, if possible, for at least the first month to jumpstart our work together.

As I discuss with all my clients when we first speak on the phone: therapy is a commitment, not a commodity. When you see a therapist, you should EXPECT this to be an investment in your future, not a 5-step plan to success. Everyone is unique, and therefore I tailor our work to YOUR needs and don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. Sometimes schedules, finances or fear prevent a person from fully investing, but I work with all my clients to make this as reasonable and un-scary as possible 🙂

Yes. I do not wear every single hat for every single issue out there. I’m good on a few things, and I do them very well. Sadly, many therapists will take anyone who gives them a call to fill a slot in their schedule. I’m selective about who I work with because I want to make sure teaming up will be a good fit for both of us.

Anyone in ACTIVE addiction to substances that is not currently in some type of support program will be referred out to a professional who is better suited and trained to help that person. Anyone who feels like they are being dragged to therapy if they are unwilling to commit to the process will also not be a good fit.

Again, these aren’t requirements to already be in a good frame of mind (otherwise you might not be coming!), but rather guidelines for those seeking help to know what works well for me/us and what doesn’t.

Sure! I welcome clients seeking to meet using technology. It’s great for those who are feeling ill but well enough to meet online, weather issues or just plain live far from me. One thing to consider is that I’m only licensed to use counseling in the state I live in–Pennsylvania.

Sometimes if a person is seeking consultation around issues like therapy, such as business or health and wellness, we can still meet to review those kinds of things while you live on the other side of the world –and that’s ok!

I’ve been in the field of therapy and the helping profession since 2008. I graduated from Waynesburg University in 2014 and had already been working as a family therapist full time while also in school for two years.

I’ve worked in several different capacities as a therapist, such as alternative education, residential treatment facilities and in-home family-based work, to name a few. I worked for a group counseling agency for almost four years before I decided it was time I strike out on my own to have the freedom to deliver the best possible therapy to my clients. I have found this to be a great fit for me personally and professionally.

Of course, and it is wonderful! I have seen a handful of different therapists since I was about 18, and each time these experiences brought me a little closer to coming home to my true self. I aim to offer that same opportunity to everyone who comes through my door.

The very idea that your therapist has seen a therapist should be a comforting fact that we all need help, and I am regularly investing in my own self-care. This setup is truly the gold standard of care in the counseling profession.

Those who do not have a strategy for pursuing their own healing often become jaded and burnt out. Statistics show that a high percentage of therapists leave the field and pursue an entirely new career after 7-10 years… Holy smokes, folks! I feel for those therapists and their clients. Rest assured this counselor is not going anywhere any time soon as this is my life’s passion and what I know I was made to do 😉

I have three cats and two dogs – and love all of them. That said, dogs take the cake for the best animal on the planet! My boy, Bishop, was the best companion (not including my wife) I’ve ever had. I’m also a huge duck person and horse person, but that’s a whole other story.

Whatever animal you choose to love, I recognize the healing opportunity animals can bring when we are feeling down, need a break, or are just plain stressed!