How I Work

The Relationship

In all of my work, I am committed to offering you a safe and comfortable environment for you to learn about yourself and the issues you seek to resolve. Together we will establish the goals for your therapy and address the difficulties you are facing.

Feeling safe enough to be vulnerable, to share, and to build a trusting relationship is a key ingredient to any therapy. I think most would say I am deeply caring, gentle yet challenging, and always invested in the growth of my clients. I uphold the boundaries of our relationship so that the focus is always on you.

My Approach

My approach is based on what the client’s needs are in the present. I often find it useful to examine background and past experiences that have shaped you, and I use that to help understand your current situation. In some sessions, we may focus on your thoughts and beliefs and/or work to develop new coping skills. In other instances, we may emphasize your feelings to help you heal from painful experiences. We will often explore the brain-body connection. Sometimes, we practice mindfulness and sometimes we will integrate a little of all of these.

Whether this is your first time trying therapy, or you are returning, therapy is a process. I often say the work that happens in our session is like a piano lesson. It will teach you what you need, but it is best if you practice outside of the therapy room in order to really learn or re-learn new patterns. So, our work is designed with that in mind. How our session can help you in your life is what you will take with you.

The Therapy Process

At the first contact, we will arrange a brief phone call to meet each other and for me to get a general sense of what you are looking for in therapy, and for you to ask any questions of me you may have.

The first intake appointment will allow me to obtain a general history. And, for you to see what it is like to potentially work with me. At the end of that appointment, we will check in and determine if this feels like the right fit for you to do the work you want to do. At that time, we will establish our schedule.

Appointments are 45 minutes, with 1.5 and double sessions available upon special arrangement.

Goals Will Vary

The goals will likely include developing new coping strategies, behavior change, increasing emotional tolerance, improving relationships, managing anxeity, learning calming strategies, symptom reduction, and improving communication – just to name a few.