My Approach to Helping

More Info About My Practice

I am an experienced Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years in private practice. My style brings warmth, caring, and compassion to therapy, balanced with straight-forward honesty and directness, and a good sense of humor. I am non-judgmental, open-minded, and listen attentively to my clients, yet not afraid to provide insightful, and sometimes challenging, feedback and recommendations.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I have extensive experience in treating individual, relationship and family issues, working with adults, children & adolescents.

SPECIFIC ISSUES: Premarital & Marital/Couples Counseling; Divorce & Remarried Families; Parent/Child Relations; Stress; Depression; Anxiety; Self-Esteem; Work & Career Concerns; Adult Childhood Issues; Grief/Loss; Abuse/Trauma; Rape/Sexual Abuse; Prevention; Personal Growth/Relationship Enhancement

SPECIALTY: Stress and trauma treatment, including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

ADDITIONAL TRAINING: Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy

Therapy is a rewarding and life-changing journey working together toward common goals and exploring issues to promote your growth and healing. It can provide techniques and insightful feedback for changing what can be changed, and learning to cope with what can't. Therapy can help you to see things from a different perspective, work through emotional issues that may be keeping you stuck, and learn new ways of behaving and interacting with others.

What I Usually Need to Know to Help

During the early stage of therapy, we will get to know each other and begin to identify and define the goals for therapy. I will ask questions about past and current experiences, symptoms, beliefs, and patterns of interaction with your family, friends and work life. The progress and length of therapy can vary considerably, but most clients complete therapy within 10-20 sessions.

Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist

It can be hard to choose a therapist who is trained and experienced in the areas for which you seek help, and with whom you feel comfortable. You can ask for recommendations from friends, family, clergy, and other professionals, or do some detailed researching online. You can get a sense for whether you will be a good fit while talking with a potential therapist over the phone, but ultimately you will want to schedule a session to make sure.

Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work

The field of Marriage and Family Therapy is recognized as a core mental health profession by State and Federal licensing agencies. A Marriage and Family Therapist, or MFT, is trained in Systems Theory, based on the scientific findings that individuals and their problems are best viewed in context, specifically the context of the relationships around them. MFT's treat many different kinds of problems, including individual, marital and family issues. They are trained in diagnosis, assessment and treatment, using a variety of therapeutic techniques and processes, and are effective in helping treat emotional and behavioral problems as well as relationship issues.

What I Say to People Concerned about the Therapy Process

Therapy can be beneficial, whether you are stuck, struggling, or overwhelmed with a particular area of your life, or you are wanting growth, healing and greater joy. It can serve as a helpful, effective, and confidential resource to help you to experience greater peace, joy, power, and freedom in your life.

Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed

Some people are uncomfortable reaching out or may worry about what going to therapy says about them. The fact is, it takes strength and courage to seek help. All of us face a series of normal developmental stages, and change, problems or stress can be an expected part life and relationships. People who seek therapy are willing to invest their time and energy into making their life and the lives of those around them, better.