My Approach to Helping
My approach is centered around a few basic ideas:
Everything is a practice.
This gives us the grace to be human and not be perfect - we are practicing new ways of being, new ways of thinking, and new movements in our lives. We don’t expect that having one conversation about a new skill or tool, that it will magically change overnight. Instead, we expect that we are just practicing this new skill, which will develop over time.
Remember that we are human.
We tend to relate to each other as things rather than people—including ourselves. When we forget that we are human, problems like anxiety and perfectionism take over and make us feel terrible about ourselves. We become hard on ourselves, have difficulty making decisions, continually worry about what others think, and so on.
We are always changing and always growing.
People are dynamic—we don’t stay the same. It’s impossible to stay the same when we continually experience time, other people, different activities, etc. This means that we can grow and be different. I lean towards nurture over nature, though there will always be both.
My approach aims to take us back to being human. I start with empathy and understanding you and your particular experience as best I can, without judgments or assumptions. From there, we explore the roots of the problem that you’re experiencing and work with specific techniques to separate yourself from the problem, shift your thinking and find a new perspective, come to terms with uncertainty and what you can’t change, and help you get to know your self better. We often end sessions with a focus or action for the week to come so that you can practice what we talk about and take it out of the therapy room and into the ‘real’ world with you.
More Info About My Practice
Located near Sloan’s Lake in Denver as well as a location in Evergreen, I offer in-person and online sessions. Our work together can be short-term or long-term, depending on your needs and the support you are looking for. I work primarily with young adults in their 20s and 30s who are struggling with anxiety, self-worth, and related issues.
My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy
It's challenging to articulate the purpose of therapy - as the process and relationship differ so greatly between every client, so does the purpose. Ultimately, the purpose of therapy changes based on the client and the therapeutic experience. The purpose of therapy in my practice is most commonly that therapy provides a process and experience of getting to know oneself, acknowledge oneself, and accept oneself in a non-judgmental, safe, curious space.
More specific purposes of therapy can include coming to accept all parts of oneself, healing from past traumas and challenging experiences, changing our relationship with problems such as anxiety so that they do not run our lives, developing a sense of meaning and purpose, learning coping and anxiety management skills, and working on awareness and mindfulness skills.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
I love the process of existential exploration and meaning that happens during therapy. I believe that questions such as "what's the point?" should not be pathologized but should be deeply explored. Facing these questions, as well as life's uncertainties can help us face our anxieties and understand our meaning and purpose. Addressing these questions and providing the space for others to do so provides a foundation for growth, self-awareness, and a new understanding of our problems, such as anxiety.
I consider it a privilege to witness my clients' lives and be a part of their growth. Watching clients' self-discovery and their moves from processing and exploring into action keeps me motivated to continue helping others. Being a therapist and working with others in a relational way is fulfilling and meaningful; I feel connected to my purpose and know that I am showing up as my best self in the world.
I also enjoy how unique every client is - from how their issues present to how they see themselves to what they find as helpful solutions. No two clients are the same, and each therapeutic relationship is its own evolving process. No two people experience anxiety or depression or obsessions in the same way, and we get to unravel each client?s distinct human experience as we go.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.