Therapist Profile

My Approach to Helping

My practice is about inhabiting this present moment, witnessing and "buying out" of the ego-mind's unworkable patterns, desensitizing root emotional charges, and gaining effective tools to thrive in the world. My vision for our work is for clients to unlearn their learned limitations and have an emotionally satisfying and completing experience with their challenges. Free the ego, and you are free.My practice as a Presence-centered psychologist focuses on stress, anxiety (panic, fears and social anxiety), depression, couple relationships, divorce, family dynamics, chronic pain and psycho-spiritual growth. I am committed in both word and daily practice to "awakening" and healing that is sustaining.The emphasis is on developing, shaping and deepening strengths, extending self-responsibility and responsiveness, and accepting life and "what is" in a context or relaxed clarity, presence and equanimity. The vision offered goes beyond an "intellectual understanding" of one's life challenges, that is, breaking issues down into components and seeing how they fit together and operate in specific ways. My practice vision is to "stand under" a palpable experience of direct living, sensing and feeling another meaning of the word "understand." Each consultation is the opportunity to truly meet the client exactly where he or she is in this moment and give what is most adaptive and immediately useable.A range of therapeutic approaches is drawn upon that all support "doing what works" and are individually tailored for each client. Being in the field of Psychology since 1977 and licensed in California as a psychologist since 1987, I draw upon therapeutic modalities of cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, psycho-dynamic and family systems approaches along with a strong background in hypnosis, mind-body modalities such as EMDR and inquiry approaches such as belief deconstruction.In essence our work rests on three core orientations, like a three-legged stool. The first leg is more and more simply "being present" in this moment (presence) coupled with witnessing one's mind or ego. These two tools/abilities are pivotally important in freeing oneself from incessant thoughts, beliefs, self-defeating behavior patterns, stories and roles.The second leg of our work is learning and honing a targeted set of tools, skills, abilities, distinctions and strategies to effectively address uncomfortable symptoms, live more functionally, peacefully and joyously through daily activities and truly thrive in the world. The third leg is the use of mind-body approaches to help move all the way though and release the emotional "charge" on unworkable patterns, mistaken beliefs and defeating survival decisions. To desensitize and deconstruct beliefs is especially helpful for clients in making their own choices and the ability to be their own authority in life. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a remarkably powerful mind-body approach that uses bilateral stimulation (that is, safe and simple stimulation of both sides of one's body) to help resolve incomplete traumas, clear the charge on old unworkable patterns and install workable inner resources that value one's true capabilities.When combined, these three core approaches can be amazingly synergistic, supportive, powerful and effective in enhancing the therapeutic enterprise and healing process of wholeness. The hallmark of this vision is facilitating the entrance of clients into the organic space of empowerment in the now. Further, I warmly encourage and invite clients to assume authority and accountability for making true choices in their life, living in the present, and inhabiting truly fulfilling and contributing lives.I'm a "stretch", not a "shrink," who still loves and enjoys the calling of my field and the privilege of contributing to receptive, proactive clients, especially ones who bring a clear-eyed, heartfelt commitment to grow, unfold and evolve into being who they truly are.A courtesy free 20-minute telephone consultation is available for new clients to answer any questions about my practice, approaches and background. I look forward to hearing from you when I can be of service and support to you in helping you help yourself.

More Info About My Practice

As a seasoned clinician with experience working with adults, couples, families, adolescents and older children since 1977, my aim is to understand your challenges and collaborate in setting an achievable vision in the present. Licensed as a psychologist in California since 1987, my major focus is Presence-centered therapy. Recognizing, healing and freeing the ego as a mistaken identity is central within Presence and cultivating the ability of inner witnessing. The emphasis is on enhancing strengths, building resilient inner resources and providing immediately workable tools, skills, strategies, distinctions and experiences. Our shared, on-going collaboration can help create enhanced internal congruence, external productivity and inhabiting the True Self.Together with my clients, we create a deepening awareness of here-and-now experience, develop an appreciation of their challenges and collaborate in a healing process. A safe, supportive and validating environment is offered as an invitation for a vibrant, energized experience of authentically being alive, awake, aware, present and free to be your Real Self.Our work is nested within a context of true life transformation, one that embraces the full human experience. For most people this includes their spiritual/religious life. As is appropriate, a Judaic-Christian-Universal and non-dual spirituality is invited into our work.I look forward to being of service in helping you help yourself.