My Approach to Helping
I have over 15 years of private practice experience seeing adults in individual and couples therapy. I am a warm and perceptive therapist who will work with you to find greater satisfaction in life and love. My clients have a range of issues and I keep their individual strengths and difficulties in mind. My approach in therapy is two-fold. We spend time learning about your history to better understand how your self-perceptions and patterns in relationships have developed. This insight can reduce your anxiety and result in a more compassionate approach to your difficulties. We then use evidenced-based therapies, such as psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), and Relational Therapy to improve cognitive perceptions, change your behavior patterns and process your emotions in a more helpful way. With support and a broader perspective on what stands in your way, you\'ll be better able to achieve your goals.
More Info About My Practice
My specialty and passion is working with couples. Couples often come to therapy burnt out by their misguided efforts to connect with their partner. In my experience, both parties are working hard to maintain their relationship, yet these strivings are misunderstood or go unnoticed. I use a combination of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman method to help couples improve their communication and connection. These two frameworks complement each other well. Gottman informs us of the behaviors that stand in the way of intimacy and what behaviors can be used to foster closeness. Sue Johnson\'s EFT highlights the importance of the attachment bond between you and your partner, and what negative patterns and attachment injuries get in the way of maintaining a secure bond. I also work with couples who are thinking of separating and would like to better understand how their dynamic resulted in repeated disconnection. Lastly, I teach unmarried couples and newlyweds positive ways of interacting in order to safeguard their relationship. Regardless of your difficulties, it is never too late to learn new ways to feel secure and passionate in your relationship.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
What I love most about being a therapist is learning about my clients' lives and pointing out moments or events in which the client was more resilient than he or she realized. Most people try really hard to feel fulfilled in life and either don't give themselves enough credit or haven't had important attachment figures notice their efforts. With each new client, I appreciate his or her individual way of seeing the world and look forward to developing a secure client-therapist alliance.
Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance
Research has shown that growth in therapy has less to do with the type of therapy you choose and more to do with the client-therapist alliance. The client-therapist relationship is a special and different type of relationship. Where else can a person who knows you so well be able to give you objective feedback and focus solely on your needs? This is an important choice and a very personal fit. My goal for the client-therapist alliance is for my client to have a sense that I'm in your corner while challenging you in a compassionate way.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.