Hello! I’m thrilled to introduce myself as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a unique blend of expertise. My practice extends to working with individuals, couples, and families, offering a comprehensive approach to healing and growth. Additionally, I'm deeply passionate about education and serve as a professor, where I not only teach but also practice Buddhist-inspired evidence-based practices. At the heart of my therapeutic approach lie two powerful modalities: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Person-Centered Therapy (PCT). With ACT, I guide clients in embracing mindfulness, accepting their experiences without judgment, and taking committed action towards a life aligned with their values. Meanwhile, my practice in PCT creates a nurturing space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and relationships with empathy and unconditional positive regard. By integrating these modalities, I offer a holistic and empowering path towards healing and personal growth. Whether you're an individual seeking relief from anxiety, a couple navigating relationship challenges, or a family in need of support, I provide tailored interventions to meet your unique needs and goals. With my background in Buddhist-inspired practices, I infuse mindfulness and compassion into our work together, creating a therapeutic environment that fosters resilience, authenticity, and well-being. My approach is not just about symptom reduction; it's about helping you cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself, strengthen your relationships, and live a life of purpose and fulfillment. Experience the transformative potential of ACT and PCT as we embark on a journey towards greater peace, resilience, and connection together.
During your first session with me, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where you'll feel safe to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. We'll start by getting to know each other, and I'll take the time to listen attentively to your concerns and goals for therapy. This initial session is an opportunity for us to establish a strong therapeutic alliance built on trust, empathy, and mutual respect. You'll have the space to express yourself freely, and I'll be here to offer support, validation, and guidance every step of the way. Together, we'll explore your reasons for seeking therapy, as well as any challenges or obstacles you may be facing. I'll work collaboratively with you to gain a deeper understanding of your unique needs, preferences, and strengths. In addition, I'll provide you with an overview of the therapeutic process and discuss my approach to therapy, including any specific techniques or modalities we may use. We'll set goals for our work together and outline a plan for moving forward. By the end of the session, you'll have a clearer sense of what to expect from therapy and how we can work together to support your journey towards healing, growth, and well-being.
As a provider, my greatest strength lies in my insatiable curiosity and deep-seated belief in the power of knowledge and understanding. I approach every client interaction with a genuine sense of curiosity, eager to learn more about their unique experiences, perspectives, and aspirations. This innate curiosity drives me to ask questions, explore possibilities, and delve deeper into the complexities of each individual's situation. I firmly believe that the more I become knowledgeable about my clients' lives, the better equipped I am to understand their needs, challenges, and strengths. My curiosity serves as a guiding force in therapy, leading me to uncover hidden insights, identify underlying patterns, and facilitate meaningful moments of self-discovery and growth. Moreover, my thirst for knowledge extends beyond the confines of each therapy session. I am dedicated to continuously expanding my understanding of psychology, human behavior, and therapeutic techniques through ongoing education, training, and professional development. By staying informed about the latest research findings and evidence-based practices, I strive to offer my clients the most effective and up-to-date interventions to support their journey towards healing and well-being. In essence, my curiosity and thirst for knowledge are not just personal attributes; they are integral aspects of my therapeutic approach. By embracing curiosity as a strength, I create an atmosphere of openness, exploration, and collaboration in which my clients feel empowered to engage in self-reflection, gain new insights, and make meaningful changes in their lives.
I specialize in serving individuals grappling with men's issues and anxiety, offering tailored support that addresses the unique challenges and complexities they face. Men navigating through various stages of life often encounter societal expectations, cultural pressures, and personal struggles that can contribute to feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Drawing from my expertise in both men's issues and anxiety, I am uniquely positioned to provide compassionate and effective therapy to this demographic. Men seeking support for a wide range of concerns, including masculinity-related stressors, relationship difficulties, career challenges, and personal growth aspirations, can benefit from my specialized approach. Whether it's navigating through societal expectations of masculinity, managing performance-related anxiety, or addressing relationship dynamics, I create a safe and nonjudgmental space where men feel empowered to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences authentically.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful therapeutic approach that I'm quite familiar with, and it's one I often utilize in my practice. My experience with ACT has shown me its effectiveness in helping clients develop psychological flexibility, enhance their well-being, and live a life aligned with their values, even in the presence of difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In my practice, I integrate ACT principles and techniques in various ways depending on the needs and preferences of each client. Here are some common ways I use ACT: Values Clarification: I help clients explore their core values and what matters most to them in life. This process allows them to gain clarity on their priorities and make decisions that are in alignment with their values. Mindfulness Practices: Mindfulness is a cornerstone of ACT. I guide clients in developing mindfulness skills to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, and to be present in the moment. Mindfulness practices help clients cultivate awareness and acceptance of their internal experiences. Defusion Techniques: I teach clients strategies to "defuse" from unhelpful thoughts and beliefs. This involves recognizing that thoughts are just thoughts, not necessarily accurate reflections of reality. By learning to distance themselves from their thoughts, clients can reduce the impact of negative thinking patterns. Acceptance of Emotions: Rather than trying to suppress or avoid difficult emotions, I help clients learn to accept and make space for their emotions. This involves acknowledging and experiencing emotions fully, without attempting to change or control them. Committed Action: I support clients in setting goals and taking meaningful action towards those goals, even in the presence of discomfort or uncertainty. Clients learn to tolerate discomfort and move forward in their lives in ways that are consistent with their values. Experiential Exercises: I often incorporate experiential exercises and metaphors to illustrate ACT concepts and help clients internalize them on a deeper level. These exercises can include visualization, role-playing, or experiential mindfulness practices. Overall, ACT empowers clients to develop a more flexible and adaptive relationship with their internal experiences, allowing them to live richer, more meaningful lives. My experience with ACT has shown me its transformative potential in helping clients navigate life's challenges and move towards greater psychological well-being.
Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) is a therapeutic approach that resonates deeply with me due to its emphasis on empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness. In my practice, I've found PCT to be a powerful tool for facilitating self-exploration, fostering personal growth, and promoting emotional healing. Here's how I typically use Person-Centered Therapy in my practice: Empathetic Understanding: I strive to create a warm and empathetic therapeutic environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment. Through active listening and reflection, I seek to deeply understand clients' perspectives and validate their subjective experiences. Unconditional Positive Regard: Central to PCT is the belief in the inherent worth and dignity of each individual. I approach my clients with genuine acceptance and respect, regardless of their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. This unconditional positive regard creates a space where clients feel valued and accepted for who they are. Non-Directive Approach: In line with PCT principles, I adopt a non-directive stance in sessions, allowing clients to lead the conversation and explore their own agenda at their own pace. I refrain from giving advice or imposing my own beliefs, instead trusting in clients' innate capacity for self-understanding and growth. Facilitation of Self-Exploration: Through empathetic listening and reflective responses, I support clients in exploring their thoughts, feelings, and values more deeply. I encourage clients to tap into their own inner wisdom and intuition, guiding them towards greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. Promotion of Personal Growth: In PCT, the therapist serves as a facilitator of clients' natural tendency towards self-actualization and personal growth. I provide a supportive and nurturing environment where clients can explore and express themselves authentically, fostering their journey towards greater fulfillment and well-being. Collaborative Relationship: I view therapy as a collaborative partnership between the client and therapist, where clients are empowered to take an active role in their own healing process. I work alongside clients to co-create goals and strategies that are meaningful and relevant to their unique needs and aspirations. Overall, my experience with Person-Centered Therapy has shown me its profound impact in fostering self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal empowerment in clients. By embodying the core principles of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness, I strive to create a therapeutic space where clients feel deeply seen, heard, and valued as they embark on their journey of self-discovery and growth.