In navigating the complexities of mental health, I am guided by the timeless insight of William James: “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” At Aya Life Therapy, my role as a dedicated mental health partner is to walk alongside individuals as they learn to make choices that foster emotional well-being. Many face persistent patterns of thinking that contribute to distressing emotions and behaviors. My work centers on transforming these relationships with thoughts—cultivating a life that reflects intention, resilience, and fulfillment.
My therapeutic approach is anchored in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), a behavioral modality that addresses cognitions directly. By helping individuals identify and reshape unhealthy thought patterns, I seek to ease internal struggles. Using present-moment mindfulness, defusion techniques to create distance from thoughts and emotions, and acceptance strategies to engage difficult experiences with compassion, I support clients in building lives grounded in their personal values.
I also integrate Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which targets cognition through a balance of acceptance and change. By fostering dialectical thinking and teaching practical emotional regulation skills, this approach empowers individuals to reduce suffering and improve relational dynamics.
As a trained EMDR therapist, certified by EMDR Consultants (founded by Master EMDR Trainer Roy Kiessling), I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories. This technique—guided recall supported by bilateral stimulation like eye movements or tapping—has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
My foundation in clinical care includes a Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Sciences from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. During my internship with Linden Oaks Hospital, I served in the Adult Anxiety Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), where ACT and DBT were central to treatment. I supported adults navigating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, body image concerns, and life and academic stress.
At the heart of my practice is a commitment to creating therapeutic relationships rooted in empathy, patience, and compassion. These qualities form the catalyst for true healing. I strive to provide a safe, warm, and nonjudgmental space—where individuals feel seen and supported as they move toward.