My Approach to Helping
My goal in therapy is to encourage insight and connection. I have a wide range of experience working with diverse individuals and I value inclusivity, advocacy and allyship of all gender identities, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds and life experiences. It is my hope to stand next to you as you navigate your unique life transitions. Whether you are seeking to gain a better understanding of your personal journey or are hoping to tackle specific obstacles, I would be honored to help you navigate your personal growth and development. I see therapy as an opportunity to set your goals into action while having a place to process all that comes with making change. Therapeutically, I work from a person-centered, relational-cultural perspective which integrates environmental, cultural and social contexts of your life. Relational Cultural Therapy allows me to focus on healthy and meaningful connections in your life as well as social justice and advocacy. It is my philosophy that we are social beings and that we can overcome and thrive with healthy and supportive connections. In therapy, my focus tends to be on emotional issues, stress, and power differentials from past relationships and how that might interfere with authentic personal expression and your ability to form solid relationships in the present. We will also talk about personal boundaries and self-care while highlighting the importance of having realistic and manageable goals. Implementing change to enhance overall health and well-being takes time and finding compassion for yourself as you navigate your journey is important.
More Info About My Practice
Personally, I know how difficult it can be to take the first step and seek counseling. And then to find the right person who you connect with, can trust and can see yourself talking about the deepest parts of yourself, adds another layer of complexity to the process. Please know that I get it and I do not take any of this lightly. This is precisely my reason for offering a free consultation. You can see more about that on the FAQ’s page of my website but in short, I see this as an essential part of the process. Give me a call or email me so that we can have that conversation and talk about how you see therapy fitting into your life and what you are looking for in a counselor. I truly love this work and I know how important it is that you feel like you are heard, supported and can trust that it is a safe environment to do this work. We can also use the consultation to talk about logistics. Sometimes that is a major barrier. Clients want to know how to get started? What does a session look like? Is there a lot of paperwork? Is there a right or wrong way to do therapy? Do I need to prepare something for a consultation or a session? These are common questions and I would be more than happy to talk through all of these with you. Please do not hesitate to reach out, you are already doing the hardest part by taking the first steps and looking for the right person to begin this work, don't let the unknown stop you from going further, you got this!
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I enjoy working with men and women who are navigating the transition from partnership to parenthood. New parents face a whole new challenge, one we have yet to scratch the surface on. We are working on being more aware of our own triggers, recognizing generational patterns, maybe even traumas, and working diligently not to repeat them. To be working so HARD not to impart our own experience of emotional neglect on to our little ones...WHOA! That sounds like an uphill battle. Let?s talk about that! Let?s normalize this wildly difficult challenge we?ve all managed to agree to.
My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy
I do not believe that every person who seeks therapy qualifies for a diagnosis, requires medication or needs ?fixing?, I see therapy as a unique relationship between counselor and client where there is profound opportunity to connect, to explore your truest emotions by sharing your unique experiences from your viewpoint and by doing so hopefully you can gain clarity and acquire some tools to function at your ideal capacity.
My Role as a Therapist
If you are wondering if we might be a good fit, here are some things to know about how I approach my work with clients. I see my role as your ally, your confidant, a person to whom you connect with on a deep and meaningful level, without judgement and without labeling. Having a safe space where you feel heard, supported and understood in a way that encourages you to process your experiences at your own pace and allowing you to create the change you desire so that you can move your life forward and stop feeling stuck. This is your journey and you deserve to feel empowered and confident in the now and as you embark on your future.
The Duration and Frequency of Therapy
In the beginning of our therapeutic relationship, it is my recommendation that we meet on a weekly basis AND I realize that is not always feasible both in terms of time and money so I would like to discuss what might work for you. How long we meet can vary depending on many factors and a good place to start is to understand your current level of distress, current coping and goals.
