My Approach to Helping
I like to tailor the therapy to the individual person I am working with. I have a warm, friendly, and easy-going manner that helps to put clients at ease very quickly and gain their trust. Humor and symbolism is very important as I help each client to understand their problems and selves more fully. I use a combination of person-centered, psychodynamic, family systems, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This underscores individual human worth, depth psychotherapy and direct techniques to solve problems with both short term and long term methods.
More Info About My Practice
The first therapy appointment can feel intimidating. Many people are concerned that they may be labeled as "crazy" or worry that if they seek counseling then they will have to focus on the problems in their lives. I understand these feelings and I will work to make you as comfortable as possible in my office to minimize these concerns.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
I really enjoy my work as a therapist. Of course, it is gratifying to help others, but I also find that the endless variety of personalities is fascinating. While many problems are similar, each client is a unique person. I like to help you find out what will work for YOU, not just what is the most popular treatment of choice.
What I Say to People Concerned about the Therapy Process
This is part of the difficult balance of therapy. In order to move on, you must confront painful feelings and memories. But it can be easy to feel "stuck" with these emotions, which can lead a client to believe that things will never get better for them. While I do encourage clients to express these difficult feelings, I never push my clients to move faster than they are ready. I do not want to hurt them any more than they have already been hurt. Clients need to feel that their needs and desires are respected. We will move through this process together, taking as much time as is needed.