My Approach to Helping
Beginning therapy is a brave step. Finding a therapist who is a good match for you is an important first step in creating the life changes that you want to see. I love working with young adults and middle age adults, new parents, and college students through the life transitions of early and mid adulthood.
I specialize in relational and sexual health, which means that I work with individuals, couples, and polyamorous folks to navigate a variety of relational and sexual concerns, including relational strain due to stress, challenges with major relational transitions, general sexual dissatisfaction, desire discrepancy, sexual anxiety, vulvodyniavaginismus, pregnancy lossinfertility, and other problems.
Mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and the impact of trauma, can create additional challenges for relational health, sexual functioning, and overall wellbeing. In a non-judgmental way, I will help individuals and relationships to better cope with these concerns.
In therapy, we will evaluate your life values and create goals, so that you can live life well, even in the presence of challenges. I will integrate psychodynamic (insight-oriented) and behavioral (skills-based) theories to offer you a comprehensive approach to health.
More Info About My Practice
I am a certified Sex Therapist through the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), which means that I have advanced training in sexual health, couples counseling, and relationship therapy.
On the Fence About Going to Therapy?
Feeling uncertain, or even anxious, about starting therapy makes sense. Therapy is a vulnerable process in which we will explore intimate areas of your life, including challenges related to family of origin, emotional distress, or even trauma. I believe that discussing these concerns honestly and empathetically is an important part of the therapeutic process. We will pace the therapy to meet your needs, and you are never obligated to share information before you are ready.
Many clients, who are unsure about starting therapy, find it helpful to know what to expect prior and during a first appointment. Before scheduling a first session, I offer a free 30 minute video consultation to address any questions or concerns you may have about beginning therapy with me, including fees, insurance and coverage, my approach to helping, as well as my background and specialties. I will email you initial client paperwork, if you would like to complete this in advance. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible before making an appointment.
During a first session, we will have time to get to know one another and decide if we are a good match to meet your specific needs and goals. I will ask you questions about the concerns that are bringing you to therapy, and I will also ask some questions about your family and background. I like to understand my clients as whole people, involved in relationships, communities, careers, etc. You are also welcome to ask me questions as we talk. Toward the end of our session, I will offer you my initial impressions and some thoughts about how we might begin our work together. Then you will have the opportunity to give me some feedback about how the session was for you. If it is a good match, then we will discuss the next steps in your therapy.
Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed
Although the stigma associated with mental health care is beginning to decrease, many people mistakenly adhere to the notion that therapy is for the weak. I passionately believe that therapy is for the brave and courageous individuals, who dare to hope that change is possible, that love and belonging are worth pursuing, and that beauty exists in the strangest places and people. So, I personally invite you to take a journey into your own story. This journey involves the gritty work of confronting painful emotions, examining unhelpful patterns or relationships, and evaluating any dissonance between life values and recurrent behavior. More importantly this journey involves joy-seeking, awareness-building, and life-affirming steps toward wholehearted living.
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.