Meet the Therapist Behind Making Waves Counseling & Wellness | Trauma Therapist in Wilmington, NC

Things You Wont See On My Psychology Today

If we've never met, welcome. I'm really glad you're here.

Whether you found this blog because you're looking for a trauma therapist in Wilmington, NC, you're curious about Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), or you've been following along for a while, I thought it was time to reintroduce myself—not just as a therapist, but as the person behind Making Waves Counseling & Wellness.

Over the years, I've had the privilege of discovering what genuinely lights me up as a therapist. Every client who sits across from me has helped shape the clinician I am today. I've intentionally built my practice around the values that matter most to me: creating a space where people can show up exactly as they are, do the hard work of healing, and feel safe enough to tell their stories.

The Kind of Therapist I Strive to Be

One thing that's hard to capture in an online profile is what it's actually like to sit across from me in a therapy session.

If you asked my clients to describe me, I hope they'd say I'm compassionate, genuine, and willing to meet them where they are—but also someone who will challenge them when they need it. I believe therapy should be a balance of validation and accountability. Your experiences deserve to be understood, but healing also asks us to look honestly at the patterns that may no longer be serving us.

One of the greatest compliments I've ever received from a client was:

"I love the relationship that we have, and I wish other people could experience that for themselves."

That has stayed with me because we know one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy isn't a specific technique—it's the therapeutic relationship. Research consistently shows that feeling safe, understood, and connected with your therapist plays one of the biggest roles in meaningful change.

Every therapeutic relationship I build is unique because every client is unique. I adapt to the individual sitting across from me while staying true to who I am as a clinician. I won't sugarcoat difficult conversations if I believe they're important for your growth, but I work hard to deliver honesty with compassion, curiosity, and respect.

At the end of the day, I don't want to be the therapist who simply listens. I want to be the clinician who walks alongside people through some of the hardest moments of their lives—helping them move through anxiety, trauma, grief, and uncertainty until they can see what's possible on the other side.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Shame dies when stories are told in safe places." I truly believe that. My goal has always been to create a therapy environment where clients don't feel judged, rushed, or like they have to have everything figured out before they walk through my door.

One thing you probably won't learn from my Psychology Today profile is just how much I love psychoeducation. I genuinely believe that knowledge is empowering. One of my favorite parts of therapy is pulling out my whiteboard (and drawing very badly—I definitely did not major in art) to explain what's happening inside the brain and nervous system.

If I spend my time learning why certain interventions work, how trauma changes the brain, or why our nervous systems respond the way they do, then I want my clients to have that knowledge, too. I believe lasting change happens when people understand why they're feeling what they're feeling, not just how to cope with it.

One of my favorite moments in therapy is watching someone realize that their body's responses aren't signs that they're "broken." They're often normal biological responses that once served a purpose but may no longer be serving them today. That's why I place such a strong emphasis on staying current with evidence-based research and continually learning new interventions that can help clients move beyond feeling stuck.

Trauma work has always been where my passion lies. For years, I've approached trauma through both cognitive and somatic perspectives. Becoming trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) added another powerful tool that allows me to help clients change the way trauma is stored and experienced.

One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "Can I really feel different after working through my trauma?"

My answer is yes.

Watching someone begin to experience relief after carrying the weight of trauma for years never gets old. Whether I'm providing adjunct trauma therapy alongside a client's primary therapist or serving as their main therapist, I deeply value collaboration and making sure clients receive the best care possible.

As I've grown into both a practice owner and a licensed clinician, I found myself wanting to give back to the profession that has given so much to me.

When I was searching for my MSW internship, I hit one brick wall after another. Agencies already had interns, partnered exclusively with certain universities, or simply weren't able to take on another student. I kept a spreadsheet of every place I contacted, who I spoke with, what they said, and who I needed to call next. I even looked outside my county and was prepared to drive more than an hour just for the opportunity to complete my placement.

Without an internship, I couldn't finish my degree.

Thankfully, I landed exactly where I was meant to be, and I learned more than I could have imagined.

That experience stayed with me.

It's one of the biggest reasons I became a clinical supervisor for associate licensed social workers in North Carolina. I don't believe in gatekeeping knowledge. I believe our profession becomes stronger when experienced clinicians invest in the next generation. My goal is to help develop ethical, compassionate therapists who will continue serving our communities with high-quality mental health care.

Another dream of mine was creating an office that actually felt calming the moment someone walked through the door.

It all started with a Pinterest board.

Whenever I found myself sitting in waiting rooms—whether at a doctor's office or my own therapy appointments—my mind would wander.

"What would make this space feel more welcoming?"

"How do I feel the moment I walk into this room?"

"Do the wall colors make people feel calmer?"

"Would offering snacks or drinks help someone feel more comfortable?"

"What feels authentic to me?"

Those little questions became the foundation of the office I have today.

I've worked hard to create a space that feels thoughtful, welcoming, and accessible. I keep the office as scent-free as possible for clients with allergies, asthma, or scent sensitivities. I use an air purifier and dehumidifier, wash blankets and pillowcases with fragrance-free detergent, and choose cleaning products without added dyes or perfumes whenever possible. I also keep drinks, snacks, and a variety of fidget items available because sometimes it's the small details that help people feel just a little more at ease.

More Than a Therapy Session

At the end of the day, I hope clients leave my office feeling seen, understood, and a little less alone than when they arrived.

Therapy has never been about "fixing" people to me. It's about helping people understand themselves, reconnect with their strengths, and discover that healing is possible—even if they've been carrying their story for a long time.

Whether you're looking for trauma therapy, anxiety counseling, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or simply a therapist who values collaboration, curiosity, and authenticity, I hope this gave you a better glimpse into who I am beyond the credentials and professional profiles.

If our paths cross someday, I look forward to meeting you. And if not, I hope you find a therapist who helps you feel safe, understood, and supported. Everyone deserves that.