Therapeutic Approach
I approach each session with openness, sensitivity, and a genuine interest in my client's well-being. I strive to thoroughly understand your unique personality, experiences, and goals while remaining an active participant in the session.
Throughout the course of treatment, we may work together on areas such as:
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Increasing satisfaction in your relationships
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Achieving greater intimacy with your partner
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Developing coping skills for managing difficult moods and emotions
Method
My therapeutic orientation is grounded in existential-humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and post-modern traditions.
I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with a somatic and attachment-focused lens—a powerful method for processing trauma and reducing the emotional distress caused by past experiences.
I also hold an additional certification in C-DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy).
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With couples, my approach is influenced by:
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The Gottman Method
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Attachment-Based Approaches
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My goal is to meet each client and situation with flexibility, tailoring the work to your individual needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. I aim to remain attuned to your experience and collaborate with you in reaching your personal goals.
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I am an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and strive to create a safe, supportive space where you can be your full, authentic self.
Theoretical Orientation
Existential-Humanistic
A type of psychotherapy that integrates principles from existential philosophy and humanistic psychology, emphasizing the client's subjective experience and free will in shaping their life.
Cognitive-Behavioral
A type of talk therapy that helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are contributing to their problems.
Post-Modern
Emphasizes a collaborative approach where the therapist and client work together to find solutions.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is a structured treatment used to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce distress.
Emotionally Focused
A therapeutic approach primarily used for couples and families, but also for individuals, to address emotional distress and relationship problems. EFT aims to help individuals and couples develop healthier, more secure emotional bonds by facilitating emotional awareness, expression, and regulation.
C-DBT
Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. DBT techniques are evidence-based tools for treating individuals with a variety of conditions, including trauma, comorbidities, and addiction.
Acceptance & Commitment
A mindfulness-based therapy that helps individuals live a more fulfilling life by accepting difficult emotions and thoughts, and committing to values-based actions.
Gottman Method
A research-based approach to couples therapy that focuses on strengthening and building healthy relationships by addressing key elements like conflict management, intimacy, and respect.
Strength Based
Focuses on empowering individuals by recognizing and utilizing their inherent strengths. This approach encourages clients to build on their capabilities, fostering resilience and promoting personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need therapy?
People often come into my office saying they feel:
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* like a failure for seeking help
* confused
* overwhelmed
* stuck
* worthless
* tired of the same old patterns
Whether you want to work on feeling more connected to people, resolving pain from previous relationships, developing more trust and intimacy, uncovering a sense of purpose, to gaining a sense of peace with yourself, therapy can be a powerful tool.
I have so much respect for people who seek therapy, because it is often the first and most difficult step in changing how they experience their life. Sometimes the work is as simple as taking a small step to the right or left of a problem to see results. Other times, the work requires deeper exploration into how your beliefs, values, and experiences have shaped the choices you are making or what you are feeling.
How do I choose a therapist?
As you may be finding out right now, there are a lot of us out there. That is great news but also the process of finding a therapist can feel overwhelming. Ask yourself a few questions such as:
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Do I want someone who is the same gender or sexual orientation as me?
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What age range do I feel comfortable with?
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Is it important to me that the therapist I work with have life experience similar to my own such as also being a parent?
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Does this person, at a glance, seem like someone I could open up to?
You do not need to stick to your answers, but it is a start. Most of the time it is important to go with your gut response, at least to narrow your search. You will get a better sense of what a therapist is like during your phone consultation or initial contact. Choosing one is always a leap of faith, but generally your instincts will help you.
What should I expect to gain from therapy?
My hope is that you will experience growth in one or more areas of your life. Of course this all depends on the person. Typically our first session will be about exploring the concerns that have brought you to therapy. We want to start to understand what is working in your life and what areas you are struggling with. We will also talk briefly about your history.
In subsequent sessions, we will continue to explore these areas but will go into more depth, assess your strengths, develop awareness of your unique process, and discuss coping strategies that will work for you.
What is your fee?
Sessions are $225 per 50-minutes. I do not take insurance directly, but I am happy to provide a superbill you can use to submit to your insurance for reimbursement directly back to you. You have the right to a "Good Faith Estimate" under federal law, effective January 1, 2022, which outlines the expenses you can reasonably expect to incur for mental health care services provided by me in my therapy practice.