Comfy Couch Wellness & Therapy Services

About Me

Each day I bring my authentic self to my practice.  I often have my clients tell me, "it's so nice that you are a real person".  I find bringing my fully flawed, constantly growing, and healing self allows my clients to feel comfortable to bring their full selves to our sessions. I encourage a collaborative client centered approach using a variety of techniques and therapeutic modalities.  My most utilized approaches include CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), and DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy).  These techniques are evidence based, widely utilized, and easy to apply.  Additionally, if appropriate, individuals' upbringing, history of trauma, and attachment style will be assessed to determine if additional theories and therapeutic framework and skills will be helpful.  This can include the use of self compassion exercises, building mastery, and challenging negative/toxic core beliefs.

Everyone can benefit from therapy.  It is my belief that therapy is not just for the chronically mentally ill, but for overall wellness, healing, problem solving or overall maintenance of a managed but chronic mental health conditions. Because I'm a social worker and informed by social work and sociology ethics and principles, I consider clients' environments and the societal structures and systems that influence their mental health and overall well-being. 

I am always willing to provide guidance or resources to help alleviate some of the stress that results with issues such as housing challenges, food insecurity, lack of insurance coverage, discrimination, social injustice, toxic work environments, medical gaslighting, and/or poverty.  We can work together to figure out how you can advocate for yourself and access available resources. 

During my time in the field, I've had the ability to work with a variety of populations including children, adolescents, families, adults, and seniors. My experience includes working in a mental health hospital system in various levels of care, therapeutic school, hospice care, non-profit agencies in areas of community mental health and domestic violence, urgent mental healthcare, contract work with employee assistance programs, and private practice. Additionally I have held roles in clinical supervision mentoring graduate students and post graduate students in the fields of social work and counseling pursuing clinical licensure status.  

My ideal clients are mature adolescents (15+) or adults throughout the life span looking to improve his/her/their mental health.  These clients may struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, suicidality, self harm, or borderline personality disorders.  I also help people navigate life's typical but difficult challenges such as loss of a loved one or pet, career challenges or job loss, failure to launch, separation or divorce, interpersonal relationship challenges, aging, chronic stress, and romantic partnership challenges.

I am an animal lover often going anywhere my dogs can come too.  I enjoy spending time outdoors kayaking, paddleboarding, riding scooters, biking (I cheat - it's an ebike), enjoying a pool day, and spending time at Lake Michigan.  I also enjoy photography, playing video games, going out to eat, concerts, and comedy shows.  My self care practices include daily gratitude, meditation, soaking in my inflatable hot tub, yin and restorative yoga practices, and spending time with friends and family.   

Feel free to check out my profiles for additional information as well!