My Approach to Helping
If you grew up in a religious or family environment that led you to stifle your authentic self, I get it. I work with people like you who are realizing in adulthood the impact of their harmful religious or family experiences and are working to unlearn their impacts. My therapeutic approach is feminist-focused and acknowledges the pressures on women to get married, have kids, and prioritize the needs of others. Whether or not you choose these paths, you are more than your ability to care for others and I want to help create the space to explore what that might look like and what's keeping you from pursuing your hopes for your life.
You might struggle with being hard on yourself, fearing the disappointment of others, or overworking out of a fear of being viewed as unworthy. These patterns can disconnect you from the relationships, pursuits, and moments that feel meaningful, joyful, and purposeful. I help people like you challenge these patterns, learn what your inner self needs instead of the harsh drive to work for approval, and clarify what you'd like your life to be about. We can explore factors that led to these patterns - are there messages from society, religion, your family, or your profession's work culture that make it hard to nurture and support yourself just as you are?
I take an active approach to therapy, offering insights and strategies to help you move in the direction of a life of meaning and purpose. One of my top values as a therapist is curiosity, and I aim to create a space where we can both get curious about you and what you need. I view the therapy room as a place for you to explore your self-doubts and fears without judgment, which can allow you the freedom to experiment with new ways of acting, thinking, and living.
More Info About My Practice
To get started with me, book your free consult call by clicking "book now" on this page. During our call, I'll invite you to tell me about what you hope to achieve in therapy, and I'll explain a little about my process and how I can help. I offer online scheduling for your convenience.
How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist
I love working with recovering perfectionists and people-pleasers because I am one of you! I know firsthand how miserable it can be to base your worthiness in working hard and making sure others are never upset with you. I found a path out of this and have seen how freeing it can be to step away from those patterns, and I enjoy helping others see this path as well. I am also deeply affected by my upbringing in the Catholic Church, which my little kid brain internalized in some harmful ways that often left me feeling anxious, broken, and prone to feeling a lot of shame. I love helping others navigate their way out of harmful religious beliefs and challenge shaming cultural and societal narratives.
The Duration and Frequency of Therapy
I believe that the duration and frequency of therapy should be individualized to you. Your unique challenges, goals for therapy, and ability to cope with new problems that arise all play a factor in how long you might want or need to be in therapy.
Typically I recommend that you come weekly for about the first 6 weeks and we can re-evaluate from there. At some point many clients start to come to therapy less frequently. You might find it helpful to come bi-weekly or monthly after being in therapy for a while, and eventually you might want to just come periodically whenever something new comes up. Some people find just a few weeks of therapy helpful, others find it useful to work with a therapist long-term. In my opinion, this decision should be made collaboratively between us and re-evaluated periodically to see if our original plan still makes sense.
