Before becoming a therapist, I spent nearly ten years teaching swimming to both children and adults. I remember one moment in particular that stayed with me. While I was teaching an adult, he casually asked what I was in school for. When I told him I was studying counseling, something shifted. What started as small talk quickly turned into him opening up about a difficult relationship in his life—something he had clearly been carrying for a long time.
I remember thinking: this isn’t about swimming anymore. He didn’t need instruction—he needed a space to be heard, understood, and guided through something that felt heavy and unresolved. That moment stuck with me. It was one of the first times I saw how much people are holding beneath the surface, and how powerful it can be when they finally feel safe enough to share it. It reinforced something I’ve come to believe deeply: having the right space—and the right person—matters.
What stayed with me from teaching wasn’t watching someone perfect their stroke—it was seeing the moment they realized, “I can do this.” That shift—the moment someone moves from fear to confidence, from hesitation to action—is what I now look for in therapy. It’s the point where something starts to change.
Teaching others to swim taught me something lasting: real change only happens when we feel safe. You can’t learn to float if you’re afraid of the water—and in many ways, healing works the same way.
For me, that understanding is also deeply connected to my faith. My Christian faith shapes the way I view people, growth, and healing. I believe that change doesn’t come from shame or pressure—it comes from grace, truth, and being fully known.
My goal in therapy is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to take risks, and challenged enough to grow. A space where you don’t have to hide parts of yourself, but can begin to understand them, work through them, and move forward.
Because just like learning to swim, healing isn’t about getting it perfect—it’s about learning to trust the process, take the next step, and believe that change is possible.
I have a strong passion for working with individuals who feel stuck in patterns that are difficult to break—especially when those patterns are tied to anxiety, trauma, or deeply held religious and spiritual beliefs that feel overwhelming, confusing, or hard to untangle
I specialize in:
In addition, I also work with:
I prioritize a strong therapeutic relationship, because real change starts with trust. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to take risks, and challenged enough to grow.
I take a flexible, individualized approach to therapy—tailoring each session to what will be most effective for you, rather than using a one-size-fits-all model. I draw from evidence-based techniques and adapt them based on your needs, goals, and what will actually help you move forward.
For individuals struggling with OCD, I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD. This approach helps you gradually face intrusive thoughts and fears without engaging in compulsions, so you can break the cycle of anxiety, guilt, and avoidance.
When it is meaningful to you, I also incorporate faith and spirituality into our work. For many people, beliefs play a central role in how they understand themselves, their struggles, and their healing. My goal is to integrate that in a way that feels supportive, grounded, and aligned with your values.
Therapy with me is intentional, collaborative, and rooted in truth, grace, and growth—focused on helping you create lasting change
Therapy with me is intentional, structured, and focused on helping you create real, lasting change. At the same time, I’m not a one-note therapist. I show up differently based on what you need in the moment.
I can be comforting when things feel heavy, serious when we need to focus, and at times even sarcastic or humorous—because sometimes a laugh is just as important as insight. My goal is to meet you where you are from session to session, not force you into a rigid process.
1. I help you get comfortable enough to step into the “water”
Just like learning to swim, we don’t start by throwing you into the deep end. We start by helping you feel safe enough to be real—without filtering or trying to say the “right” thing.
2. I work to understand your full story—not just the surface
We look at what’s bringing you in, but also your history, relationships, and experiences. I want to understand the full picture—not just what’s happening, but why.
3. I help you see the patterns that keep pulling you under
We connect the dots between your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and past experiences. This is where things start to click—when you realize why you keep ending up in the same place.
4. I bring clarity and direction (so you’re not guessing)
When it’s helpful, I’ll give you a clear diagnosis or framework. This isn’t about labeling you—it’s about giving us direction so we’re not just hoping things improve.
5. We build a plan so you’re not just “floating around”
Therapy shouldn’t feel aimless. We create a structured plan with clear goals so you know what we’re working toward and how we’re getting there.
6. I use tools that actually help you stay above water
I pull from evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, ACT, trauma-focused work, and ERP for OCD. If you’re dealing with OCD—especially religious or spiritual OCD—we’ll directly work on breaking those cycles of fear, guilt, and doubt.
7. I help you practice differently—not just understand
Insight is important, but it’s not enough. Just like swimming, you don’t learn by thinking about it—you learn by doing it. I’ll help you apply what we’re working on in real situations.
8. I will challenge you—but I’m not leaving you to figure it out alone
I’m direct. I’ll call out patterns, avoidance, or ways of thinking that are keeping you stuck. But I’ll also support you through it. Growth requires both honesty and support—and you’ll get both.
9. I adjust based on what you need that day
Some days you’ll need support. Some days you’ll need structure. Some days you’ll need a push—and sometimes, honestly, you might need someone to call things out and then help you laugh about it. I meet you where you are, while still keeping us moving forward.
Most people don’t come to therapy because they’re doing great—they come in feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or tired of repeating the same patterns. My goal is to help you actually change that—not just understand it.
If you’re willing to show up and do the work, here’s what you can expect to gain:
Just like learning to swim, this isn’t about getting everything perfect—it’s about learning how to stay steady, even when things feel uncomfortable.
You’ll leave with more clarity, more control, and the ability to move forward in a way that actually feels different—not just something you’ve talked about.
Change doesn’t happen by staying stuck—but it also doesn’t happen alone.
If you’re ready for therapy that is grounded in truth, guided by grace, and focused on real growth, I’d be happy to work with you.
Schedule Your Free 15–20 Minute Consultation
Phone Number: (940) 277-7269
Email Address: [email protected]
***Supervised by Dr. Roger Giovino, Psy.D., and Dr. Lisa Grubbs, LPC-S***
At Path to Change Counseling, we understand that taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make it as easy as possible. Whether you’re seeking individual therapy, family counseling, or psychological assessments, our team is ready to provide you with the support and guidance you need.