My Approach to Helping
My approach to therapy is largely cognitive/behavioral, with a strong emphasis on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) techniques, specifically learning to be mindful- noticing and accept your thoughts, feelings and physical sensations- while committing to behavior that is consistent with your own values. My experiences both in and out of the work setting are fairly broad so I feel I can address most issues clients present with. My style is engaging and supportive. I view our relationship as a partnership. I will spend the majority of our first sessions together listening to get to know you better. I believe that everything in our lives is interrelated, so at times I may let our focus move to whatever is particularly troubling to you that day. At other times, I may focus you back on the current problem we are trying to solve.
I am married with two children and have had two career changes. I have experienced a wide variety of life stressors and have sought help when needed. I believe that these experiences have provided me with empathy, perspective and coping skills that I can use to help you.
More Info About My Practice
I am an out-of-network provider and have helped many clients use those benefits by explaining the process to them and providing them with a treatment plan, if needed, and a receipt to submit.
My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy
I believe the purpose of psychotherapy is to help clients feel heard, understood, cared for and capable so that they have the strength to face difficult situations in their lives.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
I have always felt most alive when connecting with other people and this passion is what drew my to psychology as a profession. I love learning about my clients, their strengths and their struggles and offering them concrete strategies for living meaningful lives. I have had the benefit of wonderful teachers in my life (friends, family, therapists, colleagues) who have helped me live better, and I want to pass that knowledge on to my clients.
Had a Negative Therapy Experience?
There are many different therapy styles and therapist personality styles. It is important that clients connect with their therapist and feel cared for and helped by him or her. I encourage my clients to use our first few sessions together to assess my style and that connection and to try a different therapist if they are unhappy. I feel it is important for clients to feel empowered to keep searching until they find the right therapist.
How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist
I have been through many difficult life situations, including two career changes, the death of a parent, a split from a fiance and an addicted sibling. As I learned to cope with each of these experiences, I learned a lot about myself and what has helped me. My experience as a wife, mother, friend, sister and daughter have also taught me a lot about relationships and how to thrive in them. Not only have each of these experiences given me skills that I believe I can pass on to clients, but they give me incredible empathy for my clients and the pain and loss they have experienced.
