About Odessa
I believe therapy begins with a conversation, not a diagnosis.
Finding a therapist can feel overwhelming. Searching through profiles, wondering who might understand you, and deciding who feels like the right fit can bring up its own anxiety—especially when you are already feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure where to begin.
There is no perfect way to start therapy. Finding the right therapist is a process of exploration. It is okay to meet with different therapists, ask questions, and notice where you feel most comfortable being yourself.
At the heart of my work is the belief that people are not broken. The ways we think, feel, and cope often develop for a reason. Therapy can offer a place to understand those reasons without judgment while considering what you want to carry forward and what may no longer be serving you.
I do not see my role as fixing you or telling you who you should become. I am here to listen closely, offer perspective, ask thoughtful questions, and support you as you discover what meaningful change looks like for you.
My Journey as a Therapist
My path as a therapist has taken me through community mental health, private practice, and specialized treatment settings. Each experience has expanded my understanding of what people need in order to feel supported and has shaped the therapist I strive to be today.
My training at HIR Wellness Institute deepened my awareness of how identity, culture, systems, and lived experiences influence healing. My work at Rogers Behavioral Health strengthened my expertise in Exposure and Response Prevention and gave me the opportunity to support individuals with OCD and anxiety at intensive levels of care.
These experiences have taught me to value both clinical knowledge and genuine human connection. They have also reinforced the importance of remaining curious, continually learning, and never assuming that one person’s path will look like another’s.
What It Is Like to Work Together
My style is warm, reflective, curious, and down-to-earth. I will bring knowledge and clinical experience into the room, but I will not assume that I know your life better than you do.
I want therapy to be a place where you can speak honestly, ask questions, disagree with me, and let me know when something is—or is not—working for you. There can be room for difficult emotions, thoughtful challenge, moments of uncertainty, and humor.
Clients often share that they feel seen, heard, and understood in our work together. I take that trust seriously and strive to offer a space where you do not have to minimize, perform, or have everything figured out.
If you are considering reaching out, it makes sense to feel nervous. You do not need to have the right words or know exactly where to begin. We can start with a conversation and take it from there.
About Green Heron Counseling
I chose the name Green Heron Counseling because it reflects the way I hope we approach the therapeutic process—with curiosity, compassion, and intention.
The green heron is a quiet, observant bird. Rather than rushing, it pauses. It pays attention. It adapts to its environment with patience and purpose. Those qualities remind me that meaningful change doesn't come from judging ourselves or forcing our way forward. Instead, healing begins when we slow down long enough to notice our experiences with openness and kindness.
Too often, we meet our struggles with criticism, shame, or the belief that something is wrong with us. At Green Heron Counseling, I believe there is another way. Together, we can approach your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and experiences with curiosity instead of judgment and compassion instead of self-criticism. From that place, we begin to better understand what you've been carrying, recognize the strengths that have helped you navigate life, and discover new ways of moving forward.
Photo by Daniel Gomez on Unsplash
At the heart of Green Heron Counseling are three guiding values:
Curiosity invites us to slow down and explore our experiences without rushing to conclusions or criticism.
Compassion reminds us that healing isn't fueled by shame or perfection, but by kindness toward ourselves, especially in the moments we need it most.
Connection grows as we deepen our understanding of ourselves, our relationships, our values, and the life we want to create. Therapy offers an opportunity to reconnect with these parts of ourselves and move forward with greater intention.
My hope is that Green Heron Counseling is more than a place to talk about problems. It is a space where you can feel safe enough to be fully yourself, supported as you explore with curiosity, grounded in compassion, and connected to the person you are becoming.