Source: Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash Once we have been in a romantic relationship for a long time it is easy to fall into a rut or to switch to autopilot. By the time we notice that we have fallen into a routine or begin to stagnate, it can feel incredibly difficult to break…
I am a psychotherapist and Intake Manager at Wildflower. As a clinician, I enjoy working with individuals and couples who desire to live a more meaningful life that is congruent with their key values. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is the central pillar of all success, and I seek to understand people and their challenges so that positive change – tailored to each person – can happen. I emphasize a collaborative approach where we jointly work towards long-term growth. I seek to create a safe, welcoming environment where genuine conversation and exploration can occur. My specialties include relationships, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, ADD, and distress around identity. I also support clients with transitions to parenthood and postpartum challenges that may arise. Oftentimes these life transitions are more difficult than most people can imagine. I recognize the challenges each person overcomes to start therapy and the courage required to begin that process. Together we will look for pragmatic and effective ways to ignite the process towards feeling better, living a more authentic life, and experiencing sustained joy. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cornell College and my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. I previously worked with special education students at a high school in Arizona before moving to Chicago to work with a nonprofit organization as a counselor for people diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. I have also worked with adolescents in both individual and family counseling. Additionally, I completed my advanced clinical internship at Wildflower. I draw on multiple evidence-based frameworks and approaches, specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, the Gottman Method, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Trauma-Informed Care practices. I am also certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). One of the most difficult aspects of therapy is getting started. It can feel overwhelming to try and find a therapist who specializes in what you are hoping to address and has a style that matches what you are looking for. As Wildflower’s Intake Manager, my goal is to make finding a therapist as easy for you as possible. We aim to make Wildflower’s intake process feel welcoming, supporting you from when you first reach out to when you schedule with us. Our intake team seeks to get you scheduled with the therapist who will be that excellent fit as soon as possible. In cases where we may not be the best fit for your needs, we will provide you with trusted referrals to help you connect with a therapist who will support you in your pursuit of health and wellness. LCSW License Number: 149024621 Type 1 NPI Number: 1861028474 Accepts: BCBS PPO and BlueChoice plans, self-pay and out of network clients Pronouns he/him/his Selected training and affiliation Member of Postpartum Support International Member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science Motivational Interviewing trainings Gottman Training Level 1 for Couples Therapy Gottman Training Level 2 for Couples Therapy Trauma Informed Care trainings EMDR Basic Training Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) Highly-Sensitive Person (HSP) Knowledgeable Therapist Presentations and Facilitated Trainings Treating the Perinatal Couple The Lowdown on Low Libido: (Re)Defining Desire for the Couple in Psychotherapy Key beliefs Discomfort is where learning begins All emotions are valid Progress takes many forms and looks different for everyone More about me I have lived in three countries and throughout the United States I frequently get lost in good books Podcasts bring life to my morning commute I am most energized and reinvigorated when hiking in the wilderness or playing with my dog
How Fathers Can Help Their Postpartum Partner and Themselves
Postpartum depression affects the whole family. The new mom’s distress is often disorienting to her partner – he may sense that she needs support but feel at a loss as to how to offer it. Fathers also frequently report a reduced capacity for providing meaningful help due to their own struggles in the early postpartum…
Sometimes New Dads Need Help Too
Having a baby can be one of the most stressful times in our lives. We experience disruptions in sleep and changes in routines, self-care and personal time are redefined, and our identity and day-to-day lives completely shift to support a new human being. During this time of change, new parents experience an incredible amount of…
Hold Yourself Kindly: A Deep Dive into Self-Compassion
“Self-compassion” is a phrase that gets used a lot, but what does it actually mean? I remember when I was first told to be compassionate towards myself, I had no idea what that actually entailed. I set out to do some research to discover if self-compassion is something that is genuinely important, or if it…
When Should We Come in for Relationship Counseling?
One of the most common questions I hear early on in relationship counseling is, understandably, “Can you help us? Is there hope?” The feelings of fear and doubt are clearly present behind these questions, and the answer is never a simple “yes” or “no.” One of the biggest determinants of positive outcomes in couples therapy…
Conflict in Relationships: The Importance of Language
There is simply no way to avoid conflict in a long-term relationship with an intimate partner. Conflict is an intrinsic part of relationships. You are two different people who are spending a lot of time together. As you are each your own person, you are bound to find things about your partner that do not…
Demystifying Gottman-Based Couples Counseling
We are inundated with relationships-focused books that offer a variety of often contradictory advice. The multitude of perspectives can be overwhelming. It is easy to feel paralyzed. Which advice is right? What will actually make a positive, sustainable difference in a committed relationship? The Gottman Method of couples therapy provides couples with accessible, evidence-based blueprint…
Therapist Spotlight: Marco Renzi, Advanced Clinical Intern
Marco is an advanced clinical intern at Wildflower for the academic year of 2019-2020. He is in the process of obtaining his Master’s degree in clinical social work at The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Marco works with individuals and couples and is receiving extensive training and clinical supervision from senior staff…
