MY APPROACH
What happens in therapy?
Therapy allows you to slow down and consider your thoughts, feelings, wishes and fears. My therapeutic approach is informed by family systems theory, attachment theory and psychodynamic frameworks. My training focuses on both increasing insight (the "why") and creating actual change (the "what now?").
~
Talking to a therapist is confidential, which means everything we discuss stays between us, with the exception of if you or someone else is in danger.
~
Couples Therapy is a place to learn more effective ways to communicate, set boundaries, address needs and build trust. Generally, couples come to therapy to feel closer and more connected, to make a big decision, or to manage some kind of stress together. Couples work is most effective when each person is willing to explore their own role in the relationship, and from there, listen and value the (inevitably) different experience of the other person. Couples therapy begins with an initial assessment, which includes learning about the history of your relationship and what attracted you to each other. I will ask each person what they understand about the current problems and what the goals are for the couples therapy. Ongoing sessions include structured exercises, education, skills teaching and supportive homework assignments. [Couples therapy will very likely bring up a lot for each person individually. It is strongly recommended, but not required, that each partner have an individual therapist.]
I work with couples in all types of relationships, including those in non monogamous partnerships and couples in the LGBTQ community.
~
Individual Therapy supports deep personal healing and growth to create the life that you envision for yourself. Many of the people I work with are in recovery from substance abuse, disordered eating behaviors, and/or healing from traumatic events, including the collective trauma we experienced the past several years. In my experience, these issues can manifest in troubled relationships, feelings of stuck-ness, lack of life satisfaction, resentment, negative feelings about the self, panic attacks and anxiety, among so many other struggles. In therapy, we will work on helping you feel more grounded, confident, and capable so you can make the changes you wish to see in yourself.
For those in individual therapy, family members and partners are invited to join you for sessions. Including loved ones in therapy can help support whatever changes you are making and can improve relationship dynamics that may need healing. This is optional and can be discussed more during our one-on-one sessions.