My passion is to work with those who have struggled with the challenges of life; trauma, addiction, relationship issues, mood disorders, grief, attachment, career issues or any stress contributing to anxiety. They may have sought therapy in the past and have become discouraged, for whatever reason. The foundation of therapy is the therapeutic alliance. When one suffers various disorders, life becomes dull and motivation to live according to one's values instead of one's fears is threatened. It is critical that the therapist be attuned to the worldview of the client to facilitate healing, self acceptance and self compassion. Pain is inevitable while suffering is optional.
In the first session we will discuss the motivation for seeking treatment, a sense of expectations, if any, and the beginnings of the therapeutic alliance so critical in order that folowing sessions ensue. In a sense the purpose of the first session is to have a second session, so it's important that the client feel welcome and to be "heard deeply". It is important that the therapist attune to the mindset and perspective of the client from the beginning.
Having worked for the last 23 years in every level of mental health care from individual 1:1 private practice to the hospital Level III setting, i have gained invaluable experience from treating severe and persistent disorders such as Schizophrenia / Bipolar to attachment trauma, combat, childhood sexual abuse, anger management and a plethora of other disorders. This esperience has forged my clinical experience and assessment skills allowing acute insight and objective ability to address every client on an individual basis.
Also known as the "third wave of Cognitive Therapy", this modality takes many of the key aspects of other therapies and expands the approach to how we think into mindfulness, acceptance, being in the present moment and acknowledging perspective taking. The ability to distinguish maladaptive thoughts from adaptive, healthier thoughts and detach from them enables us to more easily regulate our mood. In therapy we identify our values, goals, committed action, our experience and belief systems and find perspectives that will promote psychological flexibility to weather challenges and remain true to ourselves and loved ones.
i have been using EMDR since 2007 and have found it invaluable in treatment of trauma, addiction, anxiety and attachment disorders. I find treating co-occurring trauma and addiction through a dual approach, partnering EMDR with cognitive behavioral techniques, effective with highly resistant subtance use disorders