I specialize in treating substance use disorders by helping clients understand the purpose substance use serves in their lives and teaching strategies that can help regain connection and self-acceptance. I also treat the co-occurring disorders that often accompany substance abuse, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. I primarily use the tools of curiosity, compassion, and mindfulness to help empower clients in therapy. My hope is that clients gain insight into the function of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and help reframe the negative patterns of judgement that may arise. Together we can investigate and be curious about where particular thoughts of guilt, wrongdoing, blame, or self-accusation began, why they developed, and what purpose they served. The part of you that loves you the most is making you aware that something in your life needs attention. With thoughtful support and guidance, you can find your path in recovery and thrive in life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
As a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, I specialize in treating mood and anxiety disorders. I have extensive experience working in the field of addiction and incorporate the teachings of Dr. Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry in our work together. Together, we will seek to reduce your inner critic as we understand the more difficult aspects of yourself—including the shameful, fearful, and painful parts. We will work to discover why they exist and ask how your life might be different when these parts of yourself are quieted and are no longer dominant over your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By providing you with compassion and understanding, my hope is that, in turn, you will be able to direct that same compassion and healing towards yourself.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I use the following approaches and methods in our sessions: CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Internal Family Systems, Compassionate Inquiry, Polyvagal Theory, Trauma Informed CBT and DBT, as well as pet assisted psychotherapy when meeting in person
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Each of us has all the components we need within us to heal. However, it can be difficult to access them when we feel ashamed, don't believe in ourselves, or criticize our own behaviors. In therapy, it’s important for you to feel safe and not judged before you can confront these difficult aspects of yourself. By providing compassion and understanding to you my aim is for you to provide the same compassion towards yourself so that you can move beyond the shame and self-criticism that’s been keeping you stuck. In our first session together, we will review why you have come to therapy and begin to identify the issues we can work on to bring about positive change.