About Gardenia Thorn Therapeutic Alternatives, PLLC

Mental health isn’t just something I studied, it’s something that lives in my soul, my story and in the stories of those I love. The people closest to me are survivors, overcomers, fighters, and witnesses to the hard parts of healing. Their journeys don’t just inform my work, they fuel it.

I didn’t become a therapist because I chose a profession. I became one because it’s who I’ve always been. Long before my degrees or licenses, people came to me for grounding, perspective, and peace. I was the one who could hold space without judgment, listen without interrupting, and see the whole picture when others couldn't. 

It chose me and I answered.

Listening became a craft I sharpened early. Consulting came naturally. Problem-solving showed up as intuition thinking beyond the obvious, finding what actually works, not just what’s expected.

I am a Healing Artist.

My work is about creating safety while moving through the gray where trauma, culture, identity, and lived experience overlap in ways that textbooks can’t fully explain. I hold space in a way that is both clinical and deeply human, evidence-based and intuitive. I know when to lead, when to challenge, and when the most powerful thing I can do is simply witness someone’s becoming.

This isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am. And I show up for this calling with heart, precision, and an unwavering belief in the people I serve.

I specialize in supporting high-functioning women who are navigating major life transitions, emotional overwhelm, identity shifts, or systemic stressors, especially those who are caregivers, professionals, survivors, or members of multicultural communities. My work sits at the intersection of healing, advocacy, and forward movement, combining therapeutic insight with coaching-style clarity and accountability.

In therapy, I help clients process trauma, anxiety, and emotional fatigue while rebuilding self-trust, resilience, and balance. In coaching, I focus on structure, motivation, and practical change whether the goal is personal growth, home and lifestyle organization, boundary-setting, confidence, or mindset work.

I also provide specialized immigration hardship evaluations, bringing a trauma-informed, culturally responsive lens to individuals and families facing VAWA, asylum, or waiver cases. I understand the emotional, relational, and legal weight of these experiences and create a safe, validating environment for clients to share their story.

Whether in a therapeutic session or coaching partnership, my approach is grounded, compassionate, and action-focused. I help clients reconnect with their strengths, clarify their goals, and make meaningful changes without judgment or pressure.

My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I draw from a variety of evidence-based techniques and tailor my approach to each client's unique needs. I prioritize creating a warm and supportive environment for my clients.

My therapeutic style is integrative, person-centered, and rooted in the belief that every individual has the capacity for healing, growth, and transformation when provided with the right support. I combine evidence-based practices with a holistic and practical understanding of each client’s lived experience, culture, relationships, and personal goals.

Some of my favorite therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), IFS (internal family systems) in combination with trauma-informed practices, and strengths-based strategies. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, I collaborate with each person to identify their needs, values, and pace, ensuring that the process feels safe, empowering, and authentic.

My work emphasizes emotional regulation, mindfulness, self-awareness and practical coping skills while also exploring deeper patterns shaped by trauma, identity, family systems, and life transitions. 

I view the therapeutic relationship as a partnership built on trust, respect, and transparency. 

Clients can expect compassion, accountability, and a nonjudgmental environment where their story is heard and honored.

Whether the goal is healing, growth, clarity, or change, I meet clients exactly where they are and walk with them toward where they want to be with intention, insight, and care.