I draw from a variety of tools and trainings including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Relationship and Couples Therapy, Humanistic, and more.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my practice, I integrate CBT techniques to help clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their difficulties. Here’s how I typically use CBT: Assessment and Goal Setting: I work with clients to understand their presenting issues and collaboratively set treatment goals. This involves identifying specific thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are problematic and exploring how they interact. Cognitive Restructuring: I help clients recognize and challenge negative or distorted thinking patterns (cognitive distortions). Through techniques like cognitive restructuring, clients learn to replace irrational thoughts with more realistic and balanced ones. This process can reduce anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress. Behavioral Activation: I encourage clients to engage in activities that bring them a sense of accomplishment or pleasure. This helps to counteract feelings of depression or low motivation by increasing positive experiences and reinforcing healthy behaviors. Skills Training: Depending on the client’s needs, I teach specific skills such as assertiveness training, problem-solving skills, stress management techniques, or relaxation exercises. These skills empower clients to cope effectively with stressors and improve their overall well-being. Homework and Practice: Between sessions, I often assign homework assignments to reinforce learning and encourage application of new skills in real-life situations. This practice helps clients generalize what they learn in therapy to their daily lives. Monitoring Progress: Throughout therapy, I regularly monitor client progress toward their goals. This involves reviewing changes in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and adjusting treatment strategies as needed to ensure continued improvement. CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and evidence-based, making it effective for a wide range of mental health concerns including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, and more. It emphasizes collaboration between therapist and client, empowering individuals to develop skills that promote long-term emotional well-being. If you have any specific preferences or adjustments you'd like to make to our discussions, feel free to let me know!

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a cornerstone therapy approach used primarily in treating anxiety disorders, particularly OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). In my practice, ERP involves systematically exposing clients to feared thoughts, images, or situations (exposure) while preventing the usual compulsive responses that alleviate anxiety (response prevention). The goal of ERP is to help clients confront their fears in a controlled and supportive environment, gradually reducing the anxiety associated with their obsessions. By repeatedly facing these fears without engaging in compulsions, clients learn that their anxiety naturally diminishes over time. This process helps to retrain the brain's response to anxiety-provoking stimuli, leading to increased tolerance of uncertainty and decreased reliance on compulsive behaviors. In therapy sessions, I collaborate with clients to identify specific obsessions and compulsions that are problematic for them. We then develop a hierarchy of exposure tasks, starting with less anxiety-provoking situations and progressing to more challenging ones as clients gain confidence. Throughout this process, I provide guidance, support, and encouragement to help clients effectively navigate their anxiety and resist engaging in compulsive behaviors. If there's anything from our conversation that you'd like me to remember for next time, just let me know!