My Approach:

People don’t come to therapy because they have problems. Everyone has problems. People come to therapy because they feel stuck. Sometimes the same issues resurface over and over in different forms and we’re not sure why. Often we try to address these problems superficially without dealing with their roots, which is why they may continue despite our best efforts.

As an integrative psychotherapist, my clinical approach is well rounded, unique, and tailored to your needs. I blend elements of psychodynamic, client-centered, strength-based, creative expressions, cognitive behavioral, relational, and attachment-based interventions to help you heal from the inside out.

From a very early age we are subject to inescapable messages from dominant culture, our social sphere, and familial pressures to be a certain way. Together we will develop a deeper understanding of you in the context of your life and culture and thus, part of our work will likely focus on separating out who you think you “should” be from who you actually are. We will collaborate to cultivate an authentic and integrated sense of self, promoting a rich landscape for transformation to occur at a pace that is comfortable for you. We want to help you celebrate and accept yourself for who you truly are and what you stand for.

 I believe our life history and unconscious habits have more influence over our behavior than we might believe. Even when we know that we want something different for ourselves, we can still find it hard to make changes, slipping easily into our go-to coping strategies. In addition to understanding your life outside of the therapy room, understanding your relationship with your therapist in the room can be a healing and illuminating experience. Mindfully attending to how our relationship is playing out, particularly in the context of your past relationship patterns, can help build trust, improve communication, and foster a protected space for deeper healing to occur.

I might challenge your thinking about a situation or help you explore practical options, but I’m just as likely to hang back at a difficult moment to allow your inner experience to bring you insight. I will always support your autonomy, your self-reflection, and acceptance of your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.

Everyone's story is unique, so your timeline and progress in therapy will depend on our relationship together, readiness for therapy, your ongoing commitment, and your goals.

THEORIES:

Psychodynamic (Insight) Psychotherapy - our past experiences impact our present situation. Psychodynamic therapy is based on Freud’s psychoanalytic theory that thoughts and behaviors are influenced by our unconscious mind and past experiences. Through collaborative conversation, clients deepen their awareness and understanding of the unconscious mind.

Attachment Theory - how we connect with others is shaped by our earliest relationships

In client-centered therapy, also known as person-centered therapy, the client takes a leadership role in the process of self-discovery. Self-acceptance and healing are promoted by the therapeutic relationship based on unconditional positive regard and the shared goal of understanding the client’s unique experiences, goals, and solutions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a skill-based treatment that focuses on the interconnection of one’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotional experiences. The therapist teaches techniques to examine and reduce unhelpful thoughts and implement new ways behaving outside of the sessions that result in desired emotional and behavioral outcomes.

Executive Function -Working with clients to learn skills to better plan and organize, sustain attention, complete tasks, and manage emotions.

Health At Every Size is a non-diet approach to wellness that aims to strengthen an individual's relationship to food by reducing the focus on weight. It promotes balanced eating while maintaining respect for the natural diversity of body shapes and sizes.

Strength-based therapy-the positive aspects of a person’s character are highlighted rather than one’s problems or weaknesses. The therapist helps the client to build and maintain resilience through exploration of pre-existing strengths and inner resources.