My Approach to Helping
Healing is different for everyone. For some, reducing or eliminating a difficult symptom is enough, while others feel they need to understand themselves more deeply. Most seek a combination of relief from symptoms and increased self-understanding. I work from a relational perspective that includes working with you to understand how you work inside, in relationship with yourself, and outside, in relationships with others. I also work closely with you to develop a plan that fits your individual needs, style, and focus of concern, and to create an environment of emotional safety that is supportive of growth and exploration.
More Info About My Practice
I accept Aetna insurance; those with other insurances pay privately and may seek reimbursement from their insurance company. I charge $140/session.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
Although of course there are many important relationships in life, love relationships are where it all comes together: family issues, communication, sexuality, parenting, money--it's all there, and more. For me, working with couples is an enormous opportunity to support the emotional growth of each individual in the partnership (what I often refer to as "individual therapy on steroids"), while also supporting improvement in their experience as a couple. By engaging with and understanding each couple's unique romance, I try to support each partner in developing their best and most effective selves in the relationship. I work with couples to improve communication, recover from an affair, heal issues around sexuality, help with problems related to trauma with one or both members of the couple, or cope with issues around substance use or abuse, along with many other concerns or difficulties. I enjoy working with couples of all types, married or unmarried, gay or straight, those who are new to a relationship or those who have been together many years.
In individual psychotherapy, I specialize in helping those whose traumatic life experiences may have resulted in symptoms such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
How Psychotherapy Can Help
In addition to reducing painful or frustrating symptoms such as a sad mood, disabling anxiety, or an unhappy relationship, psychotherapy can provide enhanced understanding and a shift in perspective that often leads to increased compassion and connection toward oneself and others. The combination of reduced symptoms and positive shifts in relationship provide you with an improved quality of life on multiple levels.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
What I love most about being a psychotherapist is getting to know very different people very deeply. I love the sense of connection and meaning that my client and I can create in service of the client's self-understanding, healing, and emotional growth. In every case, I learn deeply about myself as well. Often clients ask me "how can you listen to this all day?"--and my response is that I am grateful to be able to.
