As a psychologist, I enjoy getting to know my patients beyond what ails them – where they did they grow up? What are some of their fondest childhood memories? What is their favorite book, or song? When working with older adults, I get to see how these stories have woven the rich, complex fabric of their lives.

I enjoy helping older adults problem-solve and implement changes to self-care and their self-image without completing unraveling or losing sight of what has made their lives special.

Online therapy is effective for older adults because it helps to remove barriers to treatment access. Many older adults do not drive, whether due to a health condition (e.g., vision loss or chronic pain), finances, or preference, which would limit their options to treatment.

By participating in therapy online, older adults can access therapy in an environment that is comfortable to them (home) and minimize disruptions to care that in-person appointments can cause.

I approach therapy sessions by a process I call "orienting and contracting" - I discuss the agenda of the session (orienting) and then ask the patient if that sounds acceptable or if something added to the agenda (contracting). Often, a session will consist of a brief check-in about the time between sessions, review of any practice assignments, discussion of one to two core concerns, and then a check-out where we schedule the follow-up appointments and determine if a practice assignment would be helpful. I aim to be collaborative in sessions to ensure that we mutually agree on topics and goals, and are doing tasks relevant to those topics and goals.

My approach to therapy emphasizes the relationship between patient and therapist, where the therapist (me) knows a fair bit about mental health and therapy and the patient is the expert on themselves. I focus on creating safety and a healing space for the patient, establishing emotional bonds, agreeing upon goals, and using curiosity to explore unhelpful or uncomfortable thoughts or beliefs. I utilize evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for depression.

I was inspired to become a therapist due to the experiences of close family members and myself in therapy. I saw how therapy could help people to confront unhelpful, painful beliefs about themselves, others, and the world and come to think in more balanced and accurate ways.

I saw how therapy could help people to become more assertive, communicate their needs, gain confidence, and love themselves. Over time, I realized that I wanted to help others in the same way I had both seen in others and experienced myself.

If you are someone who is starting therapy for the first time, I would advise you to be gentle with yourself. Emotional pain and suffering doesn't develop overnight, nor does healing.

Much of what you struggle with might have been an effective response or "solution" to past problems, but this solution no longer works or has become self-defeating in some way and yet you are doing them anyway. It is okay if changing those patterns is hard. Be gentle with yourself if therapy feels scary or if you struggle to change.

I wish people knew that while therapy can be hard and scary at times, it can also be incredibly rewarding. It can lead us to examine parts of ourselves we have been scared to look at and to develop habits that help us become the version of our selves that we have always wanted to be. Therapy goes beyond resolving symptoms and can extend to healing the mind, body, and soul.

If you are someone who is starting therapy for the first time, I would advise you to be gentle with yourself.

When I am not working, I enjoy knitting. I am currently knitting my first ever cardigan and am excited to wear it when it is cool enough to do so. I am also an avid fan of science fiction and fantasy books, movies, and television shows, and will happily discuss geeky things with whomever asks.