My Approach to Helping
I've been in private practice since 1987, working with individuals and couples. I work with men and women, ages 19 and above, who may be overwhelmed and confused by a life crisis or transition; who may find themselves holding back in their lives, not knowing what they want or afraid to go after it; repeating the same patterns in each of their unsatisfying relationships, leaving them feeling lonely and unseen. I am honored to accompany each client on a journey toward wholeness and peace of mind. Having traveled extensively, I have a deep appreciation of other cultures and languages.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
Since my early days as a therapist when I facilitated Women in Transition support groups at the Women's Center at UC Davis, as well as my own personal experience of navigating many of life's transitions, I have gained substantial experience and expertise in working with adults in transition in my private practice over the past 24 years. Transition times are times of change in which the shedding of an old identity and trying on a new one can be painful, along with a sense of isolation and alienation and feelings of inadequacy. I work closely with you in a process where letting go is actually a precondition for self renewal.
Some transitions include losses of relationships; changes in home life; personal changes, such as illness; work and financial changes; and inner changes, including changes in self image or values.
My Role as a Therapist
I view the relationship between myself as therapist and you as client as extremely important. I see my role as participant/observer/facilitator in a joint effort to understand both past and present in a process whose goal is to facilitate contact with your inner life. In the search for expression of your real self, I assist you in exploring underlying motivation and meaning, as well as feelings and experiences, which all further your understanding of your own process and broaden consciousness. By exploring family of origin history together, we can discover patterns of intimate relationship interaction which may be repeating themselves in present relationships. This enhancement of the capacity for self reflection in conjunction with the development of a more healing experience with me as therapist enables you, the client, to be more connected to yourself and to others.
