My Approach to Helping

People come to therapy for all kinds of reasons. Anxiety or sadness. Grief, divorce or chronic illness. Some are tearful or angry—lonely—can’t get out of bed—some may just be struggling to organize themselves to get out the door in the morning. Maybe you long for an enthusiasm you once had, or a partner or companion who feels like home. Maybe you’re hoping to find that sense of home within yourself. Perhaps your child is shy or anxious, maybe school mornings have become a battle zone. I bring over 20 years' experience to the pleasure of helping adults, parents, and children overcome feelings and circumstances that leave them stuck.

The tools I use are broadly psycho-dynamic, emphasizing insight and the healing power of the relationship between us. In the end, though, I use what works. Whatever you walk in the door with—however we greet each other—that's where we'll begin. In work with children I use play and always work closely with parents.

More Info About My Practice

Time and again, I’ve seen painful situations give way to *something better* with the help of therapy. It means having someone on your side--someone who never gives up on you. I never know what the arc of therapy will be until it’s begun, but I know that—working together—change will come.

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

In addition to the skills listed to the right, I specialize in working with parents. With over 30 years of experience working with children and families?including 10 years in the public schools?I provide both concrete parenting guidance, and also emotional support during the sometimes overwhelming, change-of-life experience of becoming and being a parent.

I also specialize in helping those who have lost a loved one to suicide. This grief is unlike any other. II am deeply familiar with and sympathetic to the complexity of this experience.

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

What I love most about being a therapist, hands down, is the moment when I get to see someone I've been working with discover new found pride in themselves for something they thought they were incapable of. The look of proud surprise is worth any adventure into therapy.