My Approach to Helping
My approach to helping started back in grade school, where friends consistently came to me with the struggles they didn't know how to handle. Unfortunately, I did not always have a solution, or one that would have been easy to accomplish. But as the years went by and I continued to listen, focus on my friend's experience, and try to understand how she (or he) was feeling, I began to realize that the experience of sharing the story with someone who truly cared would contribute to finding possible steps to take. From there, my friend could think more clearly and bounce ideas off of me, providing both of us with the opportunity to collaborate on those possible next steps.
For me, these kinds of experiences helped to build the foundation of empathy, support, and focused attention that I give to those who share their stories with me.
It is within this approach that I will meet you where you are and listen deeply to what you want to share and to support you with what you are not yet comfortable sharing. Building a trusting and safe space with you is crucial to our work together. I am here to walk with you, shoulder-to-shoulder, through this healing journey so that you are not facing your challenges alone.
I have experienced the work of my own therapy. Once I understood that I was not alone in my struggle, I was able to call upon an inner strength that I had all but forgotten was inside of me. This "rediscovery" of my own internal strength, wisdom, and courage allowed me to move forward in ways I didn't know.
Now, I am honored to be there for YOU. I will walk with you through this healing process until you decide you want to enjoy the walk on your own.
More Info About My Practice
I value and appreciate personal growth and wellness in all of my relationships. I love to learn and tend to consider myself the "perpetual student." That said, I have completed additional training in Brainspotting and EMDR to help people through trauma and PTSD. I believe these areas have impacted people far more than has been typically acknowledged.
I also enjoy working with regular folks, who have regular (tho still stressful) issues coming up in daily life. People like you and people like me. Guess what? We all have "stuff" that we struggle with from time to time.
For example, individuals who become couples, who choose to live together or get married, then choose to start a family, who then may struggle with parenting differences, who may also struggle to keep a date night on the calendar, and may or may not arrive exhausted to work each day, trying to meet deadlines, boost productivity or sales goals, then get the children off to practice andor games, only to come home more tired and still needing to get dinner ready, homework done, and showers before bedtime.
Yes, I have been there, too. Although it can seem an impossible task, this kind of lifestyle can be modified andor changed to benefit the whole family, overall.
So, whether you have issues from the past popping up.. or busy lifestyle choices in the present causing chaos.. you are doing the best you can with what you currently know. I believe when we know better, we do better. Learning new tools and coping skills can help you create the life you prefer living!
Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed
Choosing to work with a therapist takes courage. In fact, I believe having the courage to become vulnerable and open with another person can be one of the most profound and courageous choices one can make. Believe me, I remember how it felt the first time I sat down in my therapist's office. I was a bit scared, but even more worried that she would judge me or think I was crazy to be thinking the way I had been.
I can tell you from personal experience, as well as hearing from others, that it takes more courage to share, look at, and work through those struggles than it does to ignore or hide from them.
It makes sense that when our cars aren't working right, we take them to the mechanic. When we are injured, we go to the doctor. In contrast, it seems that when people struggle with relationship distress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or grief, they think they need to "move on" or "just get over it" on their own. This simply is not true.
The truth is that finding a therapist who seems to be a "good fit" with you can make all the difference in your healing! Please call me so we can start your healing journey today.
