My Approach to Helping
You may be seeking therapy because you struggle in relationships, feel unsettled about how things have transpired in your life or just want to understand yourself better. My therapy style is interactive, non-judgmental, and collaborative. Many of my clients reflect that they appreciate my kind, direct, and honest interactions with them. I have been doing this work for over 15 years and honed an approach that honors the various parts of us that make us complexly human. My work aims to reduce discomfort by increasing someone's understanding of themself and why specific difficulties create unwanted patterns. By addressing fears and shame that can come with topics, I hold space for people that helps them find inner harmony while tending to what’s less than ideal in their life.
I use metaphors, humor, and thought-provoking questions along the way.
I invite you to bring your whole self into a space that fosters deep understanding. By bringing your own observations and curiosity, we can identify your therapy focuses. I'm a supportive, careful listener so that through time, you’ll get to know yourself in new ways and improve how you navigate your life. The therapy relationship we’d create together can assist you to become more grounded in yourself and better equipped to sort through various emotional discomforts, like fear, worry, embarrassment, confusion, overwhelm and dissatisfaction.
My guiding principles as a therapist are:
• the best therapy work comes from you choosing when you want to work on something and at a pace that gently stretches your growing edge without pushing too fast
• inner and outer matter: how we see ourselves and the realities of the world each person navigates greatly influences emotional wellness
• you are primed to heal and, at times, need a guided (yet unobtrusive) experience to discover what’s interfering with the things you want in your life
More Info About My Practice
I understand the vulnerability of seeking therapy and the level of strife that can inspire someone to reach out. I'll walk you through a warm, 15 to 20-minute call to see if it makes sense to schedule an initial appointment, and if it doesn't seem like the right fit, I'll offer some thoughts on what you may want to consider in finding a therapist.
I use a holistic model to support imbalances that often accompany emotional struggles, such as sleep disruptions. When helpful, I provide resources for stress and grief, like aromatherapy. I also encourage you to bring reflections from things like blogs, books, shows, movies or podcasts when something resonates with a part of your struggles.
Some struggles I can support you with are:
• worry, fear, stress
• noticing a disconnect between how you want to live you life and how you actually do
• strained relationships with your family, friends or partners
• relationship hardships or difficulty with dating
• going through a breakup
• coming out or living as a queer person or somewhere in the LGTBQ+ spectrums
• exploring gender and or sexuality
• soothing with things like food, hours on the internet or drinks that sometimes go too far
• questioning if you need sobriety or if you are working to maintain it
• people pleasing tendencies that interfere with your needs
• feeling overpowered by people in your life
• wanting more closeness or security in your relationships
• complex PTSD
• healing from childhood trauma
Had a Negative Therapy Experience?
That's rough. Or maybe just disappointing. Whether that's about the therapist not being skilled or nuanced enough or tuned in to something crucial, it always makes me sad when a negative therapy experience keeps someone from seeking this support. Throughout the years, I have provided therapy that people remark feels different than experiences where they've felt an uncomfortable power dynamic, misunderstood or not heard. I approach my role as a therapist by tuning in to what's important to you and offering a gentle, honest and secure space for you to do the work that you choose to do.
Too often people have to choose which part of themselves their therapist really gets. I come to the therapy space having equipped myself with an intersectional lens and I go as slow as needed to not overlook crucial parts of who my clients are and the things they're navigating in the larger world.
If you've experienced trauma, I offer trauma-informed therapy. I have advanced training in this area and have found this critcal for the sensitive needs of surviving trauma.