“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” ~ Carl Jung

It’s not uncommon to feel pressure to act like everything is okay, and you might even be really good at it. But while you’re outwardly capable, you might be internally exhausted and overwhelmed. Many of the people I work with are high-functioning in their careers and relationships, yet quietly carrying the weight of past experiences, complicated family dynamics, or emotional pain that never fully had space to be processed.

I help adults sort through complex trauma, PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and relationship struggles. I also work closely with family members and loved ones of those battling addiction. Loving someone who struggles with substance use comes with a unique kind of pain that can be hard to put into words. You might be feeling a mix of emotions such as helplessness, anger, guilt, confusion, and exhaustion. Those feelings are valid, and I’m here to help you make sense of them. Many people in this position find themselves constantly trying to hold things together for everyone else while neglecting their own needs. Therapy can become a place where you finally have permission to focus on yourself and begin making sense of what you’ve been carrying.

I’m Vanessa, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over a decade of experience in the counseling field. My work is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care. I am a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist and believe that many of the patterns people feel stuck in today are connected to experiences their nervous systems have not yet had the chance to fully process. EMDR allows us to work directly with these memories and emotional responses so they no longer hold the same intensity or control over your present life.

I am also passionate about supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community. For many individuals, navigating identity, relationships, family acceptance, or societal pressures can add layers of complexity to an already demanding life. My goal is to create a space where you can show up fully as yourself without needing to filter or explain your experience.

As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), I approach substance use through a harm reduction model, recognizing that change does not happen through shame or rigid expectations. Whether you are personally struggling with substance use or impacted by someone else’s addiction, we will focus on increasing awareness, building healthier coping strategies, and making choices that align with your values and goals.

My approach is relational and collaborative, and I integrate components from some of the following treatment modalities in addition to others:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD

Clients often describe me as warm, authentic, and direct. I show up as a real person in the room. I believe therapy works best when there is honesty, curiosity, and sometimes even humor alongside the hard work. My role is to help you gently challenge patterns that may no longer serve you while supporting you in building a life that feels more grounded, intentional, and aligned with who you truly are.

If you are ready to move beyond simply “getting through the day” and want to begin addressing the deeper patterns that are keeping you stuck, I would be honored to walk alongside you in that process.