My Approach to Helping
People enter therapy for many different reasons, but often underneath those reasons is a sense of being stuck in a physical, mental, or emotional place they don't want to be in. For relationships, people often feel stuck in negative patterns of interacting with each other or stuck in a place of pain which they blame on the other. I see myself as partnering with my clients to help them get unstuck and reach their goals for themselves or their relationships. I am active in the therapy session by helping people process more deeply what they are going through, offering new perspectives on the situation, and challenging patterns of thought or behavior that may be contributing to what's happening. I do not see people who come into therapy as sick or weak. I think it takes a lot of strength to reach out for help when times are tough. Therefore, I have respect for those who walk into my office, and I try to do everything I can to get them to where they want to be in life.
More Info About My Practice
I do not take insurance directly, but I do fill out the needed paperwork for people to get reimbursed by their insurance company when applicable. I offer morning and evening appointment times.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I believe one of the most important things in life is the relationships we create with others. Because of this, I have sought out specialized training and experience working with couples and families. Relationship therapy is very different than individual therapy. The focus of relationship work has to address both what?s happening within each person and what?s happening between them. I work with couples on issues including but not limited to problems communicating, feeling disconnected from each other, parenting differences, infidelities, and sexual problems. I work with families on issues including parenting, parent-child relationships, and blended family challenges. I also provide premarital counseling so a couple can set up their marriage to be as successful as possible. One of the areas of particular interest for me is the time when a couple transitions into parenthood. For many, this is a time of strain on the couple?s relationship as the demands of new parenthood can be overwhelming. I want to help couples navigate that difficult time period and stay as connected as possible while creating the family atmosphere they desire for their children.
Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance
Research has shown one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. I consider creating a good relationship with a client the first and most important task of my therapy. Clients need to feel they can trust me. They need to feel they are safe to talk about anything. They need to know I will always act respectfully and professionally towards them. What can clients expect from me? They can expect me to listen to them without judgment, to keep their problems and information confidential, to accept them for who they are, to see them as equal partners in the therapy process, and to always keep their best interests at the forefront. I realize everyone I meet with will also help me grow and change as a therapist and as a person, so I am thankful for the opportunity to create a relationship with them.
