My Approach to Helping

More Info About My Practice

My practice is in conjunction with husband who also is a clinical social worker. We offer workshops for couples along with relationship intensives.

Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work

My work is strongly connected to attachment theory and family of origin theory. In childhood we all experience a need to protect ourselves emotionally. At some point we develop defense positions that help us to cope. These coping mechanism are useful in helping us to grow up but at some point they can become a point of blocking our most important relationship.

If I am feeling unloved I might adopt a way of behaving that will help me deal with this sense of being unloved. I might become bigger and demand attention, or I might detach and withdraw to cope with emotionally painful life experiences. Usually, I am in a relationship with someone who has a style that is different than my own.

It is difficult to understand opposing coping styles and that is where relationship impasses can occur. All too often a person's attempt to take care of the problem can be the very thing that creates the problem. My work focuses on the underlying hurts and helps people to process these hurts along with discovering a new way to share and express underlying issues in a manner that is connecting and healing. My training in the leading models of couples counseling helps me provide my clients with new visions and processes for interacting with each other. I have applied these principles to my own life and relationships.