Helping People Find Therapists & Advocating for Ethical and Healthy Therapy & Marriage Counseling Practices

My Approach to Helping

Are you having trouble holding onto yourself while in a relationship?
In the middle of a difficult transition?
Or leaving a relationship, and trying to figure out how to be comfortable in your own skin?

Are you coming up against some of the following challenges: difficulties creating boundaries, standing up for yourself, low self esteem, fear of the unknown? Have you found yourself saying, ..... "I deserve better????"

Life and relationships can be painful (especially transitions), filled with new and often uncomfortable emotions. However, when life is painful, pain, if we are open to it, can create a beautiful opportunity for growth. In fact, pain can be a necessary CATALYST for growth and empowerment.

In my experience, growth requires delving into three distinct areas, which is what we do in our work together:

1: INSIGHT.
Insight is an important part of this process, and is at the beginning for a reason. Not much can change if you don't identify what it that isn't working! This is why we get a good background of what you are doing that might not be getting you the results you want. Together we explore your family of origin (the family that you were raised in) which gives you the opportunity to discover patterns that might be getting in your way. Maya Angelou summed it up perfectly, "When you know better, you do better!"

2: PROCESS.
There is a lot to be said for experiencing the very real emotions you are experiencing, which can sometimes accompany insight; it is important to grieve the past. As the Sufi poet Rumi said, "The wound will not heal unless given witness. The shadow that follows us is the way in." Emotional wounds might hurt when getting cleaned, but cleaning the wound is necessary in order to heal properly.

3: PRACTICE.
Now comes the fun part! This is when you get to start practicing new skills and learn to do things differently so that you can get the positive outcomes you want. I will be your accountability coach, encouraging you, as well as gently challenging you, every step of the way.

What I offer is unique: part therapist, and part coach. I am passionate about empowering clients through difficult transitions of life. You are the expert, I am a knowledgeable coach and fellow traveler, here to help guide you on your journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth.

You are not alone. We all do the best we can with what we know, with what we have learned. Many people encounter challenges in holding on to themselves in the relationships in their lives, whether those relationships are with partners, friends, colleagues, or family. I know that finding the right fit in a therapist can be a daunting task, and I commend your efforts in seeking out a better way. So, take your time. Trust your gut.

 

More Info About My Practice

I choose to provide fee-for-service therapy, and do not accept insurance. What happens in our work together is shared between us, instead of with an insurance company. In order to be reimbursed from insurance companies, you need to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder diagnosis from the DSM-IV-TR. As a fee-for-service provider, you do not have to receive a diagnosis. This also means that insurance companies will not have access to your treatment plan, case notes and other important and private mental health information. What happens in our work together is NOT shared with an insurance company. By providing fee-for-service therapy, we can focus on the important thing, our therapeutic relationship.

My standard fee for a regular 50-minute therapy session for an individual, couple, or family is $100.

I understand that it can be difficult to pay for therapy, and times are particularly hard. I always do the best I can to work with what each person can afford, which is something we can discuss in the initial consultation meeting.

Services I Provide

• Individual Therapy & Counseling
• Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
• Family Therapy

Ages I Work With

• Adults
• Elders

Languages I Speak

• English

Groups I Work With

Partners and Families of Chemically Dependent Individuals
Adult Children of Alcoholics or Dysfunctional Families
Divorcing or Divorced Women
Women with Issues Related to Eating and/or Body Image

Therapy Approaches I Use

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy /REBT
• Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
• Emotionally Focused Therapy
• Family Systems Therapy
• Gottman Method
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Mindfulness Based Approaches
• Person Centered / Rogerian
• Psychodynamic
• Solution Focused Therapy
• Systems Theory /Therapy

Concerns & Issues I Help With

• Addictions & Compulsions
• Life Changes
• Relationships & Marriage
• Social Skills & Problems
• Depression & Mood
• Health & Body
• Abuse: Emotional, Physical, or Sexual
• Emotion Management
• Family Problems
• Sexuality
• Identity Issues
• Occupational & Academic Issues
• Self-Esteem & Confidence
• Anxiety, Fear, & Stress