My Approach to Helping

I have been in practice in New Mexico for 17 years, treating depression, anxiety, relationships and life changes. I want my clients to feel comfortable in talking about their problems in a very warm and compassionate environment. We just try to find solutions and encourage personal growth. I tailor each client's therapy to their personal needs, combining different modes of treatment. Some of the techniques I use are mindfulness, regulating emotions, relationship skills, and restoring resilience from experiencing trauma. The mind and the body are very connected. I specialize in couples counseling, PTSD,and with the military. It is very rewarding to see people improve. I believe that therapy works, and is worth the time, effort, and money you put into it.

More Info About My Practice

My usual fee is $80- $90 hr., but I also work on a sliding scale. I take most insurance plans, including Blue Cross,United Behavioral Health, True Health, Molina, Medicaid, Magellan, Medicaid, Triwest, VA, Ceridian, TriCare, Beacon Health, and Presbyterian. I also work with several Employee Assistance Programs. I do take credit cards.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I believe I am adept at helping people with their relationship issues.I am fully trained in DBT Relationship Skills, a form of Cognitive Behavioral therapy as well as several family systems theories, ie. Bowen theory, Attachment Theory, and Somatic Principles. It is rarely the superficial problems that bring clients into therapy that are the real cause of the conflict, but there are underlying issues that need to be revealed to help them deal with their feelings. Often the nervous system gets triggered by past or even childhood experiences, and when that is brought into the light, clients can work on what is actually going on in the present. We all have some past or childhood traumas that affect our relationships. I believe that it is through our relationships that we most grow and learn, and growth is not always comfortable. Relationship begins in the space between us where you stop and I begin. Clear boundaries are very important. The more differentiation or separateness a person has achieved, the less reactive he or she can be to what is going on around him. This leads to less so called codependence and more of a sense of personal power. When everyone feels empowered to some extent in a relationship, I think it makes it easier to see the other person's point of view and be willing to compromise.

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

I really love being a therapist. It is so rewarding to see people improve. Sometimes the most important thing is to be understood and listened to and some people have never had that. They just blossom when they feel cared for.