My approach to therapy is pretty simple: I show up as myself, and I encourage you to do the same. I believe therapy can be meaningful without always feeling serious or clinical. Sometimes you might feel like we're just chitting and chatting away, and then I'll casually slip in a little therapy talk. My clients have been known to say, "Ohhh, I see what you're doing!" And yes, that's usually exactly what I'm doing!

   Humor is a big part of how I connect with people. I offer warmth, compassion, and encouragement, but I'm also not afraid to lovingly challenge you when needed. I'm not a traditional blank-slate therapist. I laugh, ask questions, make facial expressions, and sometimes my face says what I'm thinking before my mouth does. I don't believe professionalism has to mean emotional distance. You deserve to feel like you're talking with someone, not just at someone.

   I'm intentional about unpacking and decolonizing traditional approaches to therapy, especially when working with people from historically marginalized communities. I recognize that some of the things we've learned to view as problems or quirks may actually be ways we've adapted, protected ourselves, or navigated difficult experiences. I'm interested in understanding those parts of you with compassion rather than assuming they need to be fixed.

   At the end of the day, this is your therapy, and you get to have a say in what it looks like. You don't need to show up with a perfectly organized list of things to talk about (although if you're a list person, bring it!). Please feel free to disagree with me, tell me when something isn't working, or let me know when you're just not ready to go there. Some days we'll unpack the heavy stuff. Other days we'll celebrate a win, laugh about something ridiculous, or spend half the session figuring out what you actually want to talk about. There's room for all of it.

   If you're looking for a therapist who will laugh with you, sit with you through the hard stuff, occasionally give you that look when you're selling yourself short, and remind you that you don't have to have it all figured out, we might just be a good fit!

 

A Little About Me

   Outside of therapy, I'm an Assistant Professor at Eastern Michigan University, where I teach future student affairs practitioners and educational leadership doctoral students. My research focuses on the experiences of Black faculty at predominantly White research-intensive universities and how they navigate their personal and professional lives. Across my work, I'm passionate about helping people from marginalized communities feel seen, supported, and empowered to define well-being on their own terms.

   I also serve as the Resident Mental Health Expert for EMU's award-winning video podcast, Enlighten U , which focuses on college student mental health. Through honest and meaningful conversations, we explore the experiences and challenges that shape students' mental health and well-being. It's another space where I get to do something I love: making conversations about mental health feel more approachable, relatable, and human.

   When I'm not working, you'll likely find me spending time with my kiddos (human and furry), obsessively hugging my rescue pup, Bailey, and telling her how perfect she is (because she is, obviously!), or propagating plants. I also love romanticizing everyday life and finding little ways to make ordinary moments feel special. Think listening to a crackling fireplace soundscape while driving down the highway and admiring the beautiful fall colors. Why not make an ordinary drive feel like a cozy fall movie?