The interventions I utilize in therapy are tailored to each client's unique experience and struggles. I understand that no two individuals are alike, and I believe in addressing your specific responses or symptoms to help you find healthier coping mechanisms. Whether someone is battling eating disorder, anxiety, depression, or trauma, my goal is to work collaboratively with each client in order to identify the specific challenges and create a personalized treatment plan. By recognizing how your symptoms manifest and teaching you alternative ways to respond, I aim to empower my clients and guide them towards a calmer and happier life. Specializing in disordered eating, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, and trauma allows me to provide comprehensive and targeted support to those in need.

Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster.

Trauma can present itself in a myriad of ways, encompassing both physical and mental health symptoms that can significantly impact one's daily life. It may manifest as an aversion to large gatherings, restless nights plagued by nightmares, or even disguise itself as a heart attack that later reveals itself as a panic attack. The unpredictability of these symptoms is an ever-looming presence, capable of striking at any given moment.

Have you personally experienced the enduring effects of trauma? If so, what does it look like for you, and how has it affected your day-to-day existence? Are you finding it challenging to achieve restful sleep, constantly gripped by fear and anticipating potential threats? Is your body acutely responding to the barrage of triggers, perhaps resulting in unexplained stomachaches, throbbing headaches, or a persistent, overall bodily discomfort?

While many individuals are resilient and can gradually recover from trauma with the love and support of their loved ones, others discover that the effects of trauma persist, leading them to navigate through life carrying profound emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress long after the initial event has passed. For those facing such circumstances, the guidance, support, and assistance of a skilled therapist become fundamental in the journey towards healing from trauma. By working with a therapist, individuals can begin to unravel the intricate layers of their trauma, ultimately reclaiming their lives and finding solace amidst the chaos. At Crossroad to Change, our team of therapists is dedicated to providing the compassionate care you deserve on your path to recovery. Together, we can navigate the painful aftermath of trauma and help you reimagine a brighter future.

Trauma Symptoms

According to the four types of symptoms listed in the DSM-5-TR

Avoidance Symptoms

  • Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event

  • Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt

Re-experiencing Symptoms

  • Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks

Hyperarousal Symptoms

  • Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance

  • Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm

  • Sleep disturbances

Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms

  • Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable

  • Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event

  • Change in habits or behavior since the trauma

If you or someone you know matches the trauma symptoms listed above, I am confident that I can help and invite you to contact me today for a free consultation.

Do you feel a loss of control when you’re around food? Do you skip meals, or do you rigidly restrict your food intake? Are you consumed with thoughts about your body shape or your weight?

Many people are familiar with the concept of an eating disorder, but the term "disordered eating" may not ring a bell for everyone. While disordered eating is not an official diagnosis, it is a phrase used to encompass a range of problematic eating behaviors that warrant attention. Similar to eating disorders, disordered eating presents with various signs and symptoms that may differ in frequency and severity from person to person.

Although disordered eating may not exhibit the extreme symptoms associated with a diagnosable eating disorder, it still holds the potential to significantly impact an individual's life in a negative way. For instance, those struggling with disordered eating may find themselves skipping work, school, or personal events due to anxiety and discomfort surrounding food or because of an overwhelming preoccupation with adhering to an obsessive exercise routine. This preoccupation can hinder their ability to concentrate or focus, ultimately affecting their performance in academics or their professional endeavors.

In addition to the mental and emotional toll disordered eating takes on a person, it can also have profound physical implications. Negative self-thinking and constant worries about food can take a toll on an individual's mental health, contributing to heightened levels of stress and anxiety. Moreover, poor eating habits associated with disordered eating can have a detrimental impact on cardiovascular and intestinal health.

Perhaps one of the most concerning aspects of disordered eating is the heightened risk it poses for the development of a full-blown eating disorder. Individuals engaging in disordered eating behaviors are more susceptible to completely tipping over into a diagnosable eating disorder, which can bring about even more significant physical and psychological consequences.

It is vital to recognize the seriousness of disordered eating and address it promptly to prevent further harm. By seeking professional help and support, individuals struggling with disordered eating can work towards developing a healthier relationship with food, exercise, and body image, ultimately improving their overall well-being.

If you find yourself struggling with:

  •     Frequent dieting or obsessive calorie counting

  •     Rigid food restriction or skipping meals

  •     Feeling anxiety, guilt or shame about certain foods or food in general

  •     Obsessive exercising, or exercise to “punish” for overeating

  •     Binging and/or purging

  •     Self-worth or self-esteem because of your weight or body shape and weight

  •     Feeling out of control around food

… then you may be suffering from disordered eating.

What causes people to engage in harmful eating habits can be complex, and vary per the individual. Individual therapy can help people examine their past to understand what led to these behaviors and learn to accept and love themselves as they are. By delving into their personal history, they can gain insights into the underlying factors that contributed to their unhealthy relationship with food. Additionally, working collaboratively with a therapist allows individuals to develop healthier habits and coping mechanisms to navigate difficult cues or triggers that may arise. If you’re struggling with disordered eating and need support and guidance, a licensed therapist can provide a safe and compassionate space for you to explore these issues. They can help you create positive changes for both your body and mind, ultimately leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life. Give our office a call today, and let’s schedule a time to talk and embark on this transformative journey together.

Are you feeling irritable, overwhelmed or out of control?  Do you avoid going out or evaluate what needs to be in place to feel safe enough to go out?  Do you worry excessively?  Does this sound like you?

Understanding how my clients experience anxiety is not only crucial, but it forms the foundation on which effective treatment can be built. As a therapist, it is my priority to establish a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients from the very beginning. This entails actively listening to their experiences, asking thought-provoking questions to gain deeper understanding, and sensitively exploring how their symptoms manifest in their daily lives and interpersonal relationships. By delving into these details, I can assist my clients in comprehending how their anxiety affects their overall functioning and quality of life.

However, it doesn't stop there. A significant aspect of my role is to assist clients in identifying their coping mechanisms in the face of anxiety. By uncovering these strategies, I gain insight into the habits and behaviors they engage in when dealing with stressful situations. This allows me to identify potential patterns that may inadvertently exacerbate their distress, especially when confronted with anxiety triggers. By understanding these patterns, I can collaboratively work with my clients to develop healthier and more adaptive coping strategies that promote resilience and reduce the impact of anxiety on their daily lives.

Thus, the journey of effective treatment commences with a deep-seated understanding of how my clients experience anxiety. It is through this understanding and exploration of coping mechanisms that we can pave the way for sustainable change and growth. My ultimate goal is to empower my clients with the tools and insights necessary to navigate their anxiety, helping them regain control of their lives and engage in fulfilling relationships with others.

Anxiety can also feel like:

  • Nervousness, restlessness or being tense

  • Feelings of danger, panic or dread

  • Rapid breathing or hyperventilation

  • Increased or heavy sweating

  • Trembling or muscle twitching

  • Weakness or lethargy

  • Difficulty focusing or thinking clearly about anything other than the thing you’re worried about

  • Insomnia

  • Obsessions about certain ideas, a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder

  • Anxiety surrounding a particular life event or experience that has occurred in the past, a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder

Are you feeling hopeless, isolated and not your usual self?

Do these thoughts often enter your mind?

  • I am worthless and can’t do anything about it.

  • I feel guilty for just wanting to eat, sleep and be alone.

  • I hate who I am these days.

  • I can’t stop crying, which makes me want to stay away from others.

  • I feel gut-wrenching pain, but no one understands.

  • My life and the world around me are dark. I hate it, but I can’t change it.

If you have had any variation of these thoughts and don’t feel like your usual self, chances are you may be suffering from depression. It can be an incredibly isolating experience, but I want you to know that you are not alone and there are people who can help. Many of my clients find relief in realizing that their struggle does not own them and that there are many options available to once again have hope for their lives.

I understand the social stigmas that come with the label of being depressed, and thus aim to assist clients in sorting out their environmental, biological, and circumstantial factors while offering unwavering support and care through this very dark time in their lives. Together, we can navigate the complexities of depression and work towards finding the light at the end of the tunnel.

If you are hoping to finally lighten this load and feel like yourself again, I encourage you to reach out and contact me today for a free consultation. You don't have to face depression alone - let's take the first step towards healing together.