What's My Approach to Therapy?
My approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that healing happens within a safe, consistent, and compassionate relationship. I work from a trauma-informed and attachment-based perspective, recognizing that many behaviors, symptoms, and struggles—whether anxiety, emotional reactivity, addiction, or relational conflict—are often rooted in past experiences that shaped how a person learned to cope and survive. I aim to help clients understand not “what is wrong,” but what happened, what they adapted to, and what strengths they have carried forward.
I place a strong emphasis on creating safety. Before deeper work can unfold, clients need to feel that therapy is predictable, respectful, and free of judgment. I support clients in developing practical skills for grounding, emotional regulation, and self-soothing so they can navigate overwhelming moments with greater stability. This foundation allows us to explore deeper themes at a pace that honors each client’s readiness and comfort.
In working with addiction, I view substance use not as a moral failing, but as a response to unmet needs, emotional pain, or experiences of disconnection. My approach includes both accountability and compassion. I help individuals understand the emotional, relational, and physiological roots of their patterns while supporting them through the complexities of recovery. When families are involved, I work to strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and foster healthier ways of relating that support long-term healing.
With youth and families, I take a systemic view. I pay close attention to family dynamics, generational patterns, cultural influences, and the developmental needs of each person. I strive to create an environment where young people feel respected and validated, and where caregivers feel supported, informed, and empowered in their role.
Throughout my work, I integrate neuroscience-informed principles, including elements of the Neurosequential Model, to help clients understand how the brain and body respond to trauma and stress. I believe that insight, paired with emotional attunement and concrete skills, can create meaningful change.
Above all, my approach is collaborative. I honor each client’s autonomy, voice, and lived experience. My goal is to walk alongside clients as they reconnect with their strengths, clarify their needs, and build healthier, more fulfilling patterns in their lives and relationships. I strive to offer honesty, warmth, structure, and genuine partnership on the path toward healing.