Our course is shaped by your voice
After over two decades of practicing and teaching many types of adult and child therapy, I have found that there is no single approach that works for everyone. Psychotherapy is both art and science and what works best depends on the person and the problem that the individual or family is facing. My approach is grounded in an empathic, collaborative, and interactive stance. In my work with children, adolescents, and adults, I draw from evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), in addition to traditional talk and play therapies.
Our work together leads to...
My work with clients and families improves communication, builds desired relationships, and develops more effective skills for living a full and meaningful life. Through a better understanding of your emotions and patterns of responding, you will learn new ways of working with difficult emotions as they show up. Cultivating acceptance strategies rather than avoidance can help retrain the brain to handle pain skillfully, making room for more positive experiences and feelings. We will identify and act on your values and hopes for yourself, your family, and/or your child.
We will also look at how cultural contexts beyond the individual or family including the media, politics, race, class, and gender may be constraining your voice and creating barriers between you and your goals.
How and when we get there
Our work begins with developing an honest and respectful relationship as the foundation for the introspection and self-understanding that therapy entails. When people are given compassionate and nonjudgmental support, they are capable of remarkable change and growth. We will create an agreed upon plan for our time together; outlining your goals and identifying an approach that best fits. Most importantly, along the way we will evaluate together our progress to ensure that we are on the right track and heading in your preferred direction.
Together we will determine the right number of sessions for you and/or your family. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may require 12-20 sessions whereas an exploratory therapy may call for more. In either case, my goal as your therapist will be for you to learn the skills needed to navigate the problem and its associated feelings effectively and independently.
Collaboration and mindfulness
When working with children and teens, I work closely with family members and other key players in children's lives; including your pediatrician, school team, physical and/or occupational therapists, psychiatrist, and even sports coaches. I have found team collaboration and coordination of efforts to be most effective in supporting my young clients and their families. My work with families is characterized by a thoughtful focus on and appreciation of the uniqueness of every family; including a family's stories, shared wisdom, strengths, and culture.
In my work with both youth and adults, I have been especially energized by the intersection of mindfulness practices and the latest research on neuroplasticity and growth mindset. We now have evidence that changes in our behaviors can create changes in brain structures and circuitry, even in adulthood. In therapy, we will learn meditation practices, relaxation training, and coping skills to manage stress, calm the mind, increase focus and attention, and train the brain to become more resilient and adaptive.