Judye Hess, PhD, Licensed Psychologist

I am very skilled at creating a safe container, seeing patterns as they manifest in couples, families or individuals, and at helping people to communicate what they are feeling in ways that will better allow them to get the responses they are hoping for. I am open to feedback about what it or isn't working in the therapy. I can be very honest and direct, but can also be soft and compassionate, depending on what is needed at a particular time with a specific individual. I am very aware of people's strengths as well as their "growing edges", and do not see people as immature, damaged or developmentally stunted. I believe we all have areas of our personalities that are perfect just as they are while other parts may "need some improvement". I try to help people get in touch with all their parts and help the parts to be better able to communicate with each other.

No matter how "perfect" we remember our childhood to be, none of us gets off without times where we weren't held, seen or attuned to, the way we should have been. Unfortunately, these events can become triggers for us in our adult lives when we feel abandoned, misunderstood, left out, lonely or forgotten. These triggers can be very painful and prevent us from the wholeness of who we are. Experiencing ourselves in a safe and trusting relationship with a therapist can remind us of our strengths in the midst of these rejections, and can create a more balanced and realistic view of ourselves. In being held this way, we can also dare to look at parts of ourselves and our past or present, that were too painful to look at on our own.