My Approach to Helping

I believe that your mental health is important not only for your emotional & cognitive well-being, but also for the overall health of your mind, body & spirit. It is a vital key to living your life to your fullest potential. In my practice, I incorporate various theories of psychology to work with my clients such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Theory as well as Mindfulness & Acceptance Based theories. I also offer help in discussing childhood/adolescent life issues which can assist in relieving painful childhood/adolescent experiences. In my work over the past 13 years, I have found that many of the problems we face in life are related to unhealthy thinking processes we have learned which affect the way we feel & interact with others. I also believe that it is through our struggles that we can learn, grow & find meaning & value in life. You and I will work together to find ways in which your thoughts/beliefs about yourself & others may be causing emotional distress in your life or your relationships.

I have assisted people with a range of issues including those experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress and acute stress disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessions & compulsions, relationship challenges, childhood issues, schizophrenia, and grief. I would like to help you by offering the support and guidance you need to assist you in learning healthy coping skills and addressing unwanted mental health difficulties.

My office is in a convenient part of the city and is a comfortable place that lends itself to feeling relaxed & being able to focus on the issues you want to address for yourself. I also would like to offer my support to veterans or loved ones of veterans. Thank you for reading my profile.

More Info About My Practice

I accept Aetna Insurance, Coventry, First Health and other insurances that cover "out of network" mental health therapy.

My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy

I believe there are many purposes to psychotherapy. One of the most important purposes is learning to develop awareness of any thoughts that may be causing you uncomfortable or painful feelings. I also believe the overall purpose of therapy is to learn to develop self-compassion. We are all human, we all make mistakes, we all wish we had done some things differently in our lives; when we can accept these as part of life, we can learn to make different choices and to develop healthier coping skills that can carry us through challenging times.

My Role as a Therapist

My role as a therapist is to listen to you and to ask important questions that will help you find the answers you are seeking that are already inside of you. You are your own best expert. I am here to help you connect to your own inner resources that make you the resilient person that you are. My role is also to teach skills that are needed to cope with life's ongoing challenges. My role is also to understand your goals and expectations during our time together and to actively work on addressing your concerns and solving the problems you wish to solve.

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

I think that unfortunately many of us are taught that going to therapy means we are weak or flawed or "crazy". I believe the opposite. It takes COURAGE to go to therapy and to talk about issues you may not be able to discuss with anyone else in the world. People who come to therapy are most often looking to make positive changes in their lives. This is not a weakness, this is a strength. It certainly does not mean you are flawed or "crazy". It means there are parts of you that do want to feel better about yourself and do want to learn and to grow as a human being.