Hi! Are you searching for more meaning & purpose in your life? Unsure where to start? Are you stressed, depressed, having difficulties at work, or at home, or in your social life? You may be coming to therapy because you’re tired of pretending…of struggling…of trying so hard, but continually getting the same results! I can help you gain control over anxiety, grief, depression, and feelings of hopelessness. My approach to supportive talk-therapy is that you truly already have within you the answers you seek. My responsibility is to help you find your inner strength & wisdom, and then to support you as you learn to clearly express the truth of who you really are. Your responsibility in therapy is to be honest and courageous! I will create a space where you feel safe enough to let your walls down and from there you can find balance, peace, joy, and even freedom from self-imposed and unkind negative thinking. It may be different to think of putting your needs before others, but if you examine “selfishness” as “wise” or “foolish”, you will see how to use “wise selfishness” to develop a deeper compassionate relationship with yourself and others. (terms in parenthesis are excerpts from: The Book of Joy: Lasing Happiness in a Changing World; by His Holiness the Dali Lama, Desmund Tutu, et.al.) Taking the first step toward therapy is huge! Yet, here you are, looking for a therapist that “fits”. Don’t stop now…day by day, in every way, you deserve to get better and better! Wherever you are is where we will begin. I’m empathetic and compassionate and work with valid tools and techniques that go beyond talk therapy. Let me support you as you navigate toward change. It would be my honor.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first part of the first session will be used for me the therapist to discover your history, as well as your current, physiological, physical, and social experiences. Learning about where you come from helps me to guide you toward where you want to go! So, once I can garner enough information about your past and present experiences, we will work together to develop your goals on what you want to accomplish while in therapy...your mental health goals! Periodically we will reexamine these initial goals to see if we are on track or if we need to make changes in your vision for treatment.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
My approach is work with you to connect your mind, heart, body, and spirit! I customize various treatment methods to the person and their unique situation. Modalities I apply during the therapeutic process include Emotional Validation, Complicated Grief Therapy, Traumatic Grief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychotherapy, as well as addressing cognitive distortions. I use Solution Focused, Client Centered, Existential, and Motivational Interviewing to determine your values and elicit change. Often used are a Strengths Approach, Forgiveness Therapy, and Mindfulness. Emotional Freedom Technique, aka Tapping and Affirmations are also frequently used.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My strengths are empathy and compassion. I listen well. I like to get to deep-seated root issues and implode them from the bottom up! I really like to accentuate the positive. You are important – Your needs and emotions are important. You are valuable. You are enough (more than enough in fact!)