Your first therapy session is designed to feel welcoming, supportive, and low pressure. When you arrive, you’ll be invited to relax in a comfortable waiting area before being welcomed into the therapy room. The initial session focuses on getting to know you — what brought you to counseling, what you’re hoping to gain from therapy, and important aspects of your life and experiences, as well as going over important aspects of the informed consent. We’ll discuss a starting point for therapy and what the counseling process may look like moving forward. At the end of the session, we’ll talk about next steps and whether you’d like to schedule a follow-up appointment. If you decide not to continue, referrals to other therapists can be provided if helpful.

Integrative counseling is an approach that focuses on the mind, body, spirit, and social support system as interconnected parts of mental health. It includes attention to areas such as sleep, nutrition, movement, stress management, relationships, and spirituality (when desired) in order to support healing in a comprehensive way.

Integrative counseling takes a whole-person approach to mental health, recognizing the connection between emotional, physical, relational, spiritual, and social/occupational well-being. In therapy, we explore not only the psychological concerns that led you to seek counseling, but also factors such as stress, relationships, lifestyle habits, and overall wellness. When appropriate, we may discuss referrals to rule out physical contributors to emotional symptoms. Throughout the process, we work collaboratively to support healing, balance, and long-term well-being.

Spirituality is always client-led and optional in counseling. If you prefer not to include spirituality in your therapy experience, that is completely respected. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), my role is to meet you where you are and tailor therapy to your needs, values, and goals. We will discuss your preferences early on so your counseling experience feels safe, respectful, and aligned with what matters most to you.

If you’re interested in starting therapy at Life By Design Counseling, the next step is to request a free 15-minute phone consultation. This consultation gives you the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about my counseling approach, and see if we may be a good fit to work together. During the consultation, I will ask a few structured questions to better understand what you’re seeking support for, and you’ll have space to ask questions as well. If we both agree that working together feels like a good fit, we will move forward with scheduling your first therapy session and you will receive information about completing intake paperwork.

Life By Design Counseling accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and HSA cards. Payment details and policies will be provided in the informed consent paperwork prior to your first session so you know exactly what to expect.

The goal of counseling is for you to leave feeling more grounded, supported, and empowered than when you started. Because each client’s needs and goals are unique, we collaborate to clarify what healing and growth look like for you. While no therapist is the right fit for everyone, the consultation process helps ensure that clients who begin therapy are well matched to my counseling style and approach. It is my hope that clients feel supported in taking a meaningful step toward greater emotional health, clarity, and wholen

Experiencing mental and emotional abuse can profoundly affect a person’s sense of reality, trust, and identity. Having both personal and professional insight into the impact of abuse, I understand how confusing and destabilizing these experiences can be. Through therapy, supportive relationships, and a focus on holistic wellness, healing is possible. My goal is to help clients feel validated, supported, and empowered as they move toward recovery and emotional safety.