Hi, I'm Megan!

Nice to “meet” you!

Welcome to this virtual space of getting to know who I am and what I do. As a therapist, I value a strong therapeutic alliance and believe that I work for you, which means getting to know about how I work and what my background is has lots of significance. Please review below how I operate as a therapist and get to know me!

In the therapy room:

As a doctorate student obtaining psychodynamic graduate education at the PhD level at the Chicago Institute of Clinical Social Work and a trauma-informed therapist, I have learned how to meet the needs of clients from many different backgrounds utilizing a unique approach to attempts to understand human suffering. I value providing a progressive approach with psychodynamic focus in treatment that increases capacity for insightful and understanding what is contributing to your suffering by slowing down. I focus not only on building and modeling a safe, empathic relationship, but also utilize an approach that heavily focuses on empowerment, connection, empathy, and interpretation with considering of the bio-psycho-social model. In other words, we look at all the years that have brought you to where you are now with a microscope and gently unpack experiences that have contributed to the patterns we are enacting now in life. I am passionate about providing a refreshing therapeutic experience for clients. I meet the client where they are, without pushing an agenda, and instead assist my client in how to row their own boat, with support, safety, engagement, and vulnerability.

Real talk? Acknowledging our need for mental health support is scary, uncomfortable, and intimidating. For some, you may have never experienced a safe relationship or had a safe space to explore your trauma or darkness you experience. We live in a world where we have knowledge at our fingertips and taking in several influences of how we should be handling our life struggles. If only you made a different kind of tea before bed or drank a gallon of water a day. Sure, things are helpful, but your personal struggles are simply, personal and not-so-simple. What works for someone else, may not work for you. We are all human and have all experienced complex foundational years that have made us who we are today. I am not a social media influencer or Pinterest quote and pretend to have all of the answers for you. Instead, I lean into ambiguity and the unknown with my client, while finding a better version of life that feels lighter and more peaceful with belonging.

What clients are saying:

Clients often say they have tried many different therapists with different backgrounds and have struggled to find someone they truly connect with that is effective in facility life change. Through a psychodynamic, trauma-informed approach, clients have reported feeling safe without judgement, and for many, have stuck with me for years now. For many of my clients, I am often the first safe person in their life and am modeling what a safe, healthy relationship looks like.

For the couples, they have reported an increased feeling of confidence in owning their feelings in conjunction with communication skills and understanding how their own trauma is getting in the way of their ability to have a healthy relationship.

In the room, I am a human that supports you, while empathically creating space to explore vulnerable parts of you that feel untouchable.

My “real life human” side

When I’m out of the office, I am spending my time with my 4 little ones or studying for my PhD. I enjoy using nature as a way to reset from my busy life, through camping or finding an adventure near a lake in a small Michigan town. I also enjoy concerts or events that encourage my favorite, dancing. If I cannot make it to a concert, I can be found in the local record store looking for my newest favorite vinyl.

On a daily basis, I practice small moments of self-care by daily meditation, exercise, having a warm cup of tea before bed, or listening to my favorite Spotify playlists.

I am a small town girl that grew up on a residential island in the Detroit River. At 17 I went to Italy for the summer, visited Germany, and returned to Italy a few months later. I then returned back to Michigan and completed by college studies, while navigating motherhood. Life has brought me to the incredible opportunity of getting my PhD earlier in my career, which provides the incredible knowledge and support as a clinician at this point in my life. This program is centered in Chicago, so lately I may be found in the Chicago area too. I have spent my career working in the Metro-Detroit area, from Detroit, to Dearborn, to Plymouth, to Ferndale, and the Downriver area.

The technical stuff:

This is the part where I tell you all of my qualifications so you can know you will be in good (and competent) hands:

• Masters of Social Work-Interpersonal Practice Psychodynamic Track from Wayne State University
• PhD Candidate at the Chicago institute of Clinical Social Work
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Certified Trauma-Resilience Practitioner (CTRP)
• Bachelor of Psychology, Minor in Sociology- University of Michigan
• Clinical Social Worker at Starr Commonwealth
• Rotary Club Peace Chain Award Nominee
• WILL Women in Learning and Leadership Nominee
• Publicly speaking on Education Inequity for Teen Mothers in the United States Intervention program proposal and policy advocacy
• Community Organization Director for Successful Young Moms

I've had research published in:

• SBH Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy
• Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2018

Have more questions?​

​Call 313.782.3342 or email [email protected]