My Approach

Research continues to show that the relationship between the counselor and client is the most important factor in successful therapeutic outcomes. Developing enough trust to allow someone into your inner world is the first step towards feeling better. I want to connect with you and will work hard at gaining your trust so you can feel safe and secure in taking a journey of self-discovery. I will offer a non-judgmental environment and meet you “wherever you are” in your process of change. Together, we can work on developing strategies that empower you to achieve your goals and I will walk side by side with you every step of the way.

I believe it is important to develop tools for managing emotional distress while also exploring how past experiences impact your current quality of life. Everyone goes through troubling times, but understanding how and why we react to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings can reduce the power they hold over us. I operate primarily from a Psychodynamic framework while utilizing Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brainspotting and Solution Focused Therapy to increase awareness, calm emotional intensity, and develop choices for responding to stressors.

Vulnerabilities can often be traced back to past traumas, causing us to react in the present without a full understanding of why we are reacting. Our body is the first to respond to distressing stimuli, directing our behavior before we have a chance to comprehend the significance of the experience. The mind can quickly interpret and categorize feelings into “safe or unsafe” based on the intensity of our physiological reactions. When emotions are labeled as unmanageable, maladaptive coping strategies and disordered behavior may serve as a conduit for immediate gratification. However, I believe healthy distress tolerance and overall fulfillment stem from learning to “weather the emotional storm” so we do not have to hide from it.

Personal awareness can assist in reducing the power of negative experiences and create a sense of empowerment to live more authentically in the present. It is helpful to gain insight into how aspects of our personality developed so we have a better understanding of current thinking and behavior patterns. Calming the body is the first step towards learning how to respond instead of react. Once our mind recognizes our body is safe, we can begin questioning how we interpret our experiences, as well as how we assign meaning to our sense of self.

Providing education may be necessary for successful therapeutic interventions, but I believe my role is not to teach, rather to learn from you. I am always curious about how a person perceives themselves and the world around them, as well as how and why they came to see the world the way they do. We may discover some interesting insights and motivating perspectives together, but you are the only true expert on your life. I believe my role is to help you get to know yourself better so you can feel empowered in taking the necessary steps to elicit positive change. I want to help you surface and celebrate who you truly are and then to live more congruently with that person. There is no expectation to be anything but you; for yourself and for others.