My Approach to Helping
New skills, self-awareness, and growth into your full potential are my wishes for you. This must be paired with less anguish and emotional pain, which is needed by so many of us. I want you to know all of you better, be more accepting of yourself, and feel in more control of your life. I want you to expand your knowledge of who you are; to grow into all that you are capable of becoming.
I believe that even for the most resilient people, life deals us blows which can't be managed easily or quickly alone. I work to provide opportunities for others to begin and continue to grow; in a safe, confidential environment. It is important to me to not only acknowledge each individual's strengths and wishes to grow, but also to be really present with them. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to work towards his or her best self.
More Info About My Practice
I am a provider for Medicare, CareSource, Aetna and for Molina.
I have certification from The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children as a Certified Trauma Specialist.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I work with those who are depressed, anxious or upset, angry or confused and uncertain about life's challenges. I have also worked with those who have had extensive childhood trauma and a long history of abuse. I use a variety of methods of dealing with this based on what is useful. I have extensive training in gestalt therapy which focuses on how these issues effect you at the time. I am always interested in the body based components of what has happened to you; that is, where you feel anxious in your body and how you experience internally, as well as what your thoughts and feelings are.
I use Brainspotting, Gestalt therapy, Client Centered Therapy, Somatic Experiencing in my work, in addition to other methods as needed. I am trained in Brainspotting and I am currently involved in Somatic Experiencing training. Both of these trauma treatment methods have a history of being quite helpful with trauma while minimizing retraumatizing and improving one's coping. Overall, what methods to use and how to help you will have to do with who you are, what you are experiencing, what I think might help, and ultimately what we choose together.
My Role as a Therapist
As a therapist, I first must be present for both myself and you. I must allow myself to be impacted by you and to be willing to be known by you. My work is to provide a safe holding space for you. I must provide a growing, nourishing environment where you feel my concern, interest, and caring; where it is safe to be upset, sad, angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, or any other myriad of feelings. My role is to help to sort out the thoughts, feelings, desires, and wishes at your speed and with your purpose at the forefront. This means to assist you to make sense of your reality and for you to gain more control and peace in this process.
My Therapy Focus
Overall, my focus is what you are wanting to work on. We will focus on what is problematic for you, what skills and resources you need to add or improve, and how you can grow into who you are and all of who you can be.
On the Fence About Going to Therapy?
Beginning therapy isn't easy. If you feel miserable right now, though, taking a step to do something different will at least get you off of the stuck point. Change is so difficult and hanging out on that fence can also be quite painful. You are probably reading what a number of people say about what they have to offer and I hope that you will listen and sense internally who might have something to offer to you; who might know something about your fears and pains and difficulties; who might be willing to be with you in your pain while you start to figure this out. I hope you will take a small first step to be less alone.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.