Therapist in Asheville NC since 2010
As a therapist in Asheville NC, and virtually throughout North Carolina, I specialize in helping people make sense of the lifelong patterns they sometimes feel stuck in. At other times, I provide support so that you can find a path forward that’s right for you.
Working together, we can make important connections that shed light on your current life situation. By looking at your beliefs and personality, as well as your values and what you want to call into your life in the future, we can create a shared understanding of where you might be struggling and why.
It’s my passion and honor to help individuals clarify and refine who they are as they come to a deeper understanding of their innermost selves.
Taking real care of your whole self by doing the meaningful work of depth psychotherapy is one of the greatest investments you’ll ever make in your overall sense of well-being.
My therapeutic style is eclectic, integrative, and holistic.
All of my counseling work is informed by some of the great theories in psychology, including the following ideas:
Trauma is stored in the physical and emotional body
We use the coping skills we do today because, at one time, they kept us psychologically safe
Self-awareness is a key to changing patterns of behavior
Self-compassion is another key to changing patterns of behavior
It’s the therapeutic relationship that heals, beyond any one specific technique
Insight, followed by action are both requirements to create lasting change
Growth-mindset
Attachment theory
Parts work (multiplicity of Self)
The idea that imagination is imperative in the healing process
Buddhist philosophy
Sex-positivity
Bringing the unconscious material in our psyches into our conscious awareness has powerful healing benefits
It takes courage to heal
We can do hard things
Some of the challenges I work with include:
While working together, you may start to notice:
Anxiety
Self-Criticism
Accessing Authenticity
Speaking Up
Self-Awareness
Self-Compassion
Relationship Struggles
Connecting to Your Inner Child/Reparenting
Complex/Relational Trauma or CPTSD
Infidelity
Intergenerational Trauma
Self-Care
Figuring Out What You Want
Authenticity
Dealing with Losses of all Kinds
Break-Ups
Going No-Contact with Toxic People
Parenting Issues
Career Questioning
Depression
Exploring Spirituality
More Creativity
Better Relationships
Insight about your life-patterns
Restored Intuition
A greater sense of ease in your own body
Glimmers / New ways to deal with your triggers
A solid self-care routine
Increased confidence
Clarity about what you want
More internal space
Self-Love
Triggers become less intense and fewer
Commonly asked questions:
What is you availability like for scheduling?
My availability is on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. My office hours are 9 – 5 on most days. If we meet on Monday or Tuesday, we’ll meet in my office located in downtown Asheville. Wednesdays are reserved for all virtual appointments, so we meet online using a HIPPA-compliant web service.
How do I get started?
We begin our work together with your first call or email me, I then set up a time with you to talk via phone for about 10-15 minutes.
This first conversation is an opportunity for me to get to know you a bit and to better understand why you’re seeking out therapy. It’s also a time for you to ask any questions you might have.
If it sounds like we are a good fit to work together based on this conversation, we’ll schedule a time to meet for your first session.
How often should I plan to come to therapy?
The type of therapy I provide is intensive and in-depth. It’s an exploration of your life’s journey and current way of being in the world, in relationship to yourself and others. This therapy is experiential and transformative.
As such, I strongly suggest weekly sessions, especially at the outset of our work, with a minimum of 6-8 weeks to dedicate to consistent weekly meetings.
For how long should I plan to come to therapy?
We meet for weekly sessions for as long as needed.
As a therapist in Asheville NC, I’ve worked with some people for as little as one month, and others over periods of several years.
How long do sessions last?
Sessions are either 50 or 75 minutes in duration.
What does a first session with you look like?
In our first meeting, I really like to get a sense of what’s brought you into therapy, and what you’re hoping to get out of it.
The session is organic and I follow your lead, aiming to clarify what has been happening for you in a way that allows us to get on the same page.
I've had some really bad experiences with other therapists, what makes you different?
I’ve been a therapist in Asheville, NC over the past fifteen years. During that time, I’ve worked with many people who have come to me after negative experiences with other therapists.
One important factor that I bring into the therapy room is experience. I’ve been doing this work well over a decade and I’m experienced with lots of different types of people and the diverse issues they’re contending with.
Another key factor is that I’m not a one-trick pony. I’ve got lots of tools in my toolkit to share, and I am a provider who believes in the importance of being flexible and collaborating in our work together.
Lastly, I want us to make sure that you are getting what you want out of your experience of therapy. To ensure that, I will check in with you often about how you feel things are going. We can modify our approach together at any point.
Do you just do "traditional talk therapy?"
Nope! I use an eclectic mix of both talking and experiential exercises. These include meditation, guided imagery, active imagination, dreamwork, EMDR (eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing), writing exercises, parts-work and more.
How much experience do you have as a therapist in Asheville NC?
I created Whole Self Therapy in 2012, and before that, I worked in the field of mental health for over five years.
Working in agency settings I provided case management, assertive community care, and therapy for individuals and groups with severe and persistent mental illness.
As a therapist in Asheville NC, I have come to understand the unique needs of our mountain community over close to fifteen years. With deep appreciation with the individuals that make up our city, I aim to serve anyone seeking support on their healing path.
Whole Self Therapy® PLLC