About Me
There’s a chance you felt prepared for the transition into motherhood.
You read all the books, followed the accounts, and tried to do pregnancy and parenting “right.” But you still feel anxious, overstimulated, and never quite at ease in your own skin.
I see you. Because, same.
Trying to check every box while secretly wondering if everyone else got a manual I didn’t.
Some Context
If you’re like me, understanding context can totally change your experience with something. So let me offer you some.
Here’s Why I Do This Work
I became a therapist to create the space I desperately needed when I was pregnant and postpartum. A space where I didn’t have to mask or minimize my experience so it would be more palatable.
My own pregnancies cracked me open. I was hit with a level of anxiety and sensory overwhelm I didn’t expect. I spent so much energy trying to hide how hard it all was, trying to hold it together on the outside while feeling like I was unraveling inside.
Before I first reached out to my therapist, after trying to cope alone for too long, I had no language for what I was experiencing. All I knew was that I felt like every nerve in my body was frayed beyond repair, while I simultaneously didn’t have enough energy to sit upright for more than 10 minutes. I didn’t know why I felt this way, but I knew I needed help.
I also know now how powerful it can be to find someone who gets it. Who won’t pathologize your brain, who sees your sensitivity as a strength, and who can help you create a version of motherhood that actually works for you.
My Approach to Therapy
Parenting and pregnancy can feel so lonely and disorienting, especially if your brain works differently. No one should have to go through that without support.
Untangle what’s anxiety, what’s sensory overload, and what’s just life.
Practice noticing what is happening in your body and learn ways to calm your system that don’t involve masking, pretending you’re fine, or checking out.
Build trust in your instincts and confidence in parenting your way.
Grow self-compassion so you can meet yourself with kindness, even on the messy days.
Therapy with me isn’t about “fixing” you. It’s about helping your nervous system feel safe, learning to work with your brain and body instead of against them, and building a life that feels less like survival mode and more like something you can actually enjoy.
My sessions are collaborative, warm, and practical. Together we’ll:
Master of Social Work (MSW) University of Kentucky
Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) University of North Carolina Asheville
Education
Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Training (Postpartum Support International)
Training in ACT, ERP, DBT-informed, and Polyvagal Theory-informed approaches
Neurodiversity-Affirming practice approaches
Training
Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA)
North Carolina
#P022285
License
A bit more context
Why “Otherwise Counseling”
I chose this name because it speaks to the other paths we can take.
The ones that don’t follow a prescribed script.
Otherwise also means wise-in-another-way, which is one of the ways I view neurodivergence; a different kind of wisdom.
For many of the women I work with, life has been full of messages about how they’re supposed to think, feel, or parent.
Otherwise Counseling is my way of saying there isn’t one right way. There’s always another way. A way that fits you.
Otherwise is a quiet kind of resistance. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to force yourself into the narrow version of motherhood our culture sells.
You can step outside of that, write your own story, and still be a good parent.
And it’s a word of hope. No matter how anxious, burned out, or overstimulated you feel, it doesn’t have to stay this way. Things can be otherwise.
What’s that? More context? You got it.
(If you’re still reading, you are probably my people)
The moth in my logo represents transformation and quiet resilience. Moths find light in the dark, even when the path isn’t clear; a perfect symbol for what we do in therapy. This is a space where your sensitivity, intensity, and need for something different aren’t just accepted, but honored. I like to think of the moth as a representation of neurodivergence in a neurotypical world of butterflies.
But of course, one type of moth wasn’t quite specific enough. Instead, I chose a blend of three moths: the Luna, the Atlas, and the White Ermine. Each one represents something I want this practice to embody.
The Luna moth symbolizes transformation and renewal. A reminder that even the most overwhelming seasons can be part of becoming
The Atlas moth, one of the largest in the world, represents strength, the courage to take up space, and the power of claiming your needs. It speaks to the expansive identity shifts in motherhood and self-discovery.
The White Ermine moth is a symbol of quiet resilience and protection. Surviving, adapting, and persisting even when the environment isn’t gentle.
Together, they create a symbol of what I hope therapy offers; the chance to transform, to take up space, and to trust your own quiet strength.
“Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers. Let me keep company always with those who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads.”
- Mary Oliver