My Approach to Helping
I am a licensed clinical psychologist, working with couples, relationships (including consensual non-monogamy), and individuals for over 15 years. I have advanced training in evidence-based cutting-edge approaches (Emotion Focused Therapy, Gottman, Internal Family Systems). I’m also a Certified Discernment Counselor trained by the Doherty Relationship Institute to treat “mixed agenda” couples where one or both partners may be considering divorce. I am AANE (Association for Autism and Neurodiversity) trained and certified neurodiverse couples therapist. Years of experience and advanced post graduate level training made me firmly believe in individuals' and couples' potential to heal and grow. I view our work as an interesting, energizing process that helps you to better understand yourself and others, to have healthy relationships, to enhance your ability to cope with stress and ultimately to become a happier person.
I believe that therapy is a place of growth where human connection with your therapist, empathy and unconditional acceptance are balanced with a challenge. Both are necessary to gain a new perspective, overcome internal barriers, and experience new, healthier, and more fulfilling ways of being. I have expertise and experience. But equally importantly, I am a fellow human. As Carl Rogers wisely said: “Before every session, I take a moment to remember my humanity. There is no experience that this man has that I cannot share with him, no fear I cannot understand, no suffering that I cannot care about because I too am human. No matter how deep his wound, he does not need to be ashamed in front of me. I too am vulnerable. And because of this, I am enough. Whatever his story, he no longer needs to be alone with it. This is what will allow his healing to begin.”