My Approach to Helping
If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken the most difficult and important step toward feeling better -- reaching out for help. I specialize in helping clients who are experiencing distress stemming from anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues. Many of my clients complain they're feeling "stuck" and can't find a way to move forward. For some, this feeling has been something they’ve dealt with for many years. Others feel this way after a traumatic event or a difficult transition. No matter what is motivating you to seek therapy, it's important to find the right support and the right therapist to help you get your life back on track.
Although I tailor my approach to each client, I typically use a person-centered, psychodynamic approach when working with individuals. This approach encourages personal insight and allows you to identify destructive patterns that may be holding you back and making you feel "stuck.” Cognitive Behavioral techniques help my clients make a long-term behavior change, which can help keep you on track long after therapy has ended.
With couples, I usually use emotionally-focused therapy techniques, which provide for greater emotional intimacy between partners. I also identify communication breakdowns between partners and provide a framework for increasing communication and healthy conflict resolution.
When I work with families, I often use a systems approach and help each family member identify hisher role in family dysfunction. By working together, we can create a healthy, happy family life in which all members can thrive.
More Info About My Practice
I have extensive experience in mediation, parent coordination, and have worked with families experiencing domestic violence. Therefore, I bring conflict-resolution skills into my therapy practice and help couples and families who are living in high-conflict homes. I also specialize in helping to divorce couples and families in the midst of divorce.
Before I became a therapist, I was a television news reporter in a high-stress environment, and I also bring that experience to my practice. Therefore, I also see clients who are in high-stresshigh-profile job environments.
How Psychotherapy Can Help
Psychotherapy can give much-needed relief to those struggling with a myriad of difficulties and disorders - from life transitions to severe depression and just about everything in-between. The most common thing I hear from clients is what a sense of relief they feel, often after just the first session.
By providing a sense of emotional security, therapists encourage their clients to verbalize their problems - therefore, gaining a sense of control over their distress. And, of course, therapists guidance and support throughout the process.
In short, psychotherapy can bring immediate relief for those suffering from distress - and it can offer much-needed support for those who are seeking compassion and guidance as they navigate their problems.
What I Say to People Concerned about the Therapy Process
I often hear people say they're concerned about starting therapy because they're afraid they will "tap into" disturbing thoughts andor memories they've spent years trying to suppress. And, in some ways, they're right: Talking about upsetting or traumatic past events could bring-up feelings they've spent years trying to ignore.
However, I often tell them that those thoughts and memories are going to come-up, with or without therapy. Unfortunately, if they surface in an emotionally unsafe environment, it can be very distressing. In the safe space provided by a therapist, the client and therapist can process the trauma together.
