What are your specialties?
I help adults heal from attachment wounds, guide high achievers to untangle self-worth from performance, and support individuals overcoming addiction.
What is an attachment wound?
An attachment wound refers to the lasting emotional and behavioral impact of being raised by caregivers who failed to adequately meet your basic attachment needs. People with significant attachment wounds often struggle in relationships and generally believe they are not good enough because when they were children their caregivers failed to provide love, attention, acceptance, safety, etc. in consistent, reliable, and unconditional ways. Check out my specialty page to discover more about how attachment wounds can present in adulthood.
How can I tell if my therapist is a good fit for me?
The single most important factor for success in therapy isn’t a clinician’s specific credentials—it is the quality of the connection you share.
Your therapist should serve as a secure base for healing, making you feel safe, seen, and deeply valued. Empirical research consistently shows that a robust “therapeutic alliance” deepens client engagement and predicts better outcomes across all types of therapy, often outweighing the specific techniques being used.
What the Research Says
If you are interested in diving deeper into the science behind the therapeutic bond, you can review the following resources:
- Read the American Psychological Association CE Corner Article on how relationships drive better patient outcomes.
- Explore the NCBI Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Relationship Guide for an overview of the therapeutic alliance.
Finding Your Fit
Ultimately, it matters less if a therapist specializes in DBT or EMDR, or if they have spent decades working with specific populations. What matters most is that you feel comfortable and prioritized in the room.
If you choose to work with me, I commit to building a relationship with you that is warm, authentic, trusting, and fully focused on your needs.
What if we don’t click?
If something feels off in therapy, I encourage you to discuss it with me. I will also periodically check in on your progress to ensure our approach remains productive and collaborative. If we need to adjust, we will find a forward path that feels right for you. If you ultimately decide the fit isn’t quite right, I completely understand and will gladly provide referrals to other providers.
What can I expect from you as my therapist?
I lead with profound compassion and warmth, but I will also challenge you when necessary. Together, we will uncover your blind spots. We all have limitations in self-awareness and can fall into the trap of treating our thoughts and feelings as facts without recognizing our biases. I hold myself to the exact same standard. I am deeply committed to doing my own work through personal therapy and ongoing education—from professional trainings and empirical journals to consultations with seasoned professionals. Our work is a collaboration, and I am always open to your feedback. If something isn’t working, we will pivot. However, we won’t shy away from effective strategies simply because they are uncomfortable. We will find tools to manage the discomfort, but we can’t eliminate it entirely; change is inherently difficult. After all, that is why you are here.
What will be expected from me as your client?
Therapy is an active, collaborative commitment. Unpacking past hurts is challenging, and true growth happens when you bring honesty, openness to feedback, and personal accountability into our sessions. Rather than just talking each week, we will work together to recognize unhelpful patterns and pivot toward your goals. While the most profound transformations happen when you apply these insights to your day-to-day life, I know this work takes time. I encourage you to take things at your own pace. I cannot do the work for you, but I am here to fully support your journey.
What is your therapeutic approach?
I utilize a systemic and integrative approach and will commit to seeing your whole self. In other words, I will work to recognize the context in which you live and struggle, including social, political, cultural and environmental influences. Mind you, these are not going to be treated as excuses but rather as a lens through which to better understand where you are and what you will need to successfully move forward.
Do you offer morning/daytime sessions?
My availability generally falls between the range of 6:00 PM or later. However, I may be able to accommodate an earlier meeting time. Contact me and we’ll try to work something out!
What is the latest appointment I can schedule?
Exact times will vary depending on my current availability, but typically the latest time slot I can offer is from 1:00-2:00 AM Central Time.
As a night owl, I noticed a severe shortage of non-emergency mental health support late at night. I founded Up Late Therapy to bridge this gap for fellow night owls, busy parents, shift workers, insomniacs, and workaholics.
Do you offer in-person appointments?
Up Late Therapy is a fully virtual practice. I do not offer in-person appointments at this time. All sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.
Who do you treat, and where are you licensed?
I provide teletherapy to adults (18+) located anywhere in Illinois or Massachusetts.
Do I need to be completely sober to start therapy with you?
Definitely not. You do not need to be completely sober to start therapy. Abstinence is not a requirement. However, if substance use blocks consistent session engagement or creates health and safety risks, a higher level of care like inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment may be recommended. With your consent, I will connect with outside providers to support your ongoing care. We can resume therapy when you are ready.
What is a free consultation with a therapist?
A free consultation is a brief 15-minute phone or video call. It gives you space to share your current needs and ask questions. During this call, you can:
- Discuss scheduling and fees
- See if the therapist’s style feels like a good match
- Decide if you feel comfortable working together
This call is not therapy. You will not share your full history yet. There is no pressure to book. You can schedule your first session at the end of the call, or take time to think it over.
To schedule a free consultation, click here.
Will the things I discuss in therapy be kept private?
Yes. Both state and federal laws protect confidentiality and patient privacy in psychotherapy, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. However, there are certain situations where this does not apply.
These exceptions include:
- Suspected child, dependent adult, or elder abuse.
- If you threaten serious bodily harm to another, I am legally and ethically required to notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If you intend to harm yourself, I will work with you to ensure your safety. If you cannot cooperate, I will take necessary actions to keep you safe.