My Approach to Helping

In various cultures in almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life. The Dragonfly continues to be a symbol of happiness, signifies hope, change, and love while moving with elegance and grace. The magical and captivating qualities of the iridescent wings that flap faster than any insect of its size but reflect the colors of nature reminds us of discovering and uncovering our own beauty--- stripping away the old to reveal our individual authenticity and light. Spread your wings and fly fast!

Today is the time for emotional growth and healing. Together, in the safe emotional space of our sessions, you can explore the gaps between your actual and true self, untangle patterns of past choices and behaviors, and explore new ways of interacting with the world. Through the sometimes difficult but ultimately rewarding work of therapy, you can enjoy a deeper understanding of yourself, a strengthened emotional resilience, and a better ability to negotiate relationships and negative emotions to enter the process of real and true healing. I work with older teens, adults, and couples on a variety of issues.

My approach is eclectic. It is one steeped in compassion, acceptance, honesty, and empowerment; undergirded by four modalities: firstly, the intersection of Western and Eastern thinking with a focus on meditation, mindfulness, Buddhist and Taoist thinking, and eastern movement; secondly, a psychodynamic orientation with exploration on how the lens of our past shapes our present and future as applied to marriage and divorce, parenting, career, intimacy, and relationships; thirdly, a scientific thinking approach including Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to manage thinking, feeling, and behaving resulting in a life being less frenetic, more in control, and more evenly paced; lastly, CBT to challenge beliefs and ways of thinking in order to be able to live a more fulfilled, happier life. Unlike many practitioners, I advocate the use of hypnotherapy to work with memories and to “erase and reframe” areas where clients are stuck.

My experience is in cognitive-behavioral interventions, positive psychology, Mindfulness Practices, and grief work; I am certified in Hypnotherapy and Life Coaching and trained in couples therapy (Gottman Level II). I served in the US Army for over two decades and have significant experience in working with military members, military families, and veterans in a variety of capacities.