LCSW, 10 years of experience
Being human can be overwhelming. Most of us are balancing various responsibilities on top of trying to give ourselves what we need, if we even know what that may be. My work focuses on making sense of what feels complex, placing it into words, and meaningful action. I provide therapy that is conversational with feedback, humor, curiosity, and partnership, individualizing work to each person.
It is absolutely okay if you have variety of concerns and no idea where to start, or are unsure exactly how therapy can help. Our first session will begin organizing all of this with an intake where we chat about your current concerns and curiosities, ways you have tried to resolve these in the past, how it impacts your day-to-day, goals, relationships, the important people in your life, and what our work together could look like. From there we can discuss if we are a good fit.
Having worked with a variety of people and community settings for 10 years, I am able to hear both what is said and not being said, and summarizing it to where many people I work with have the "Yes, that's exactly it!" moment. Validating my clients in this way has meant more clarity on what they need.
Many people I work with are struggling to balance personal wants and expectations of their families, experiencing internal conflict due to living in dual cultures, coping with trauma from substance abuse, racism, or are generally exhausted from worry and sadness. The work we do together will consider all sociopolitical factors, community, beliefs, abilities, and all that is inherently important, and has impacted you, because who you are and what you need, reaches beyond your emotions.
Through ACT, I explore thought patterns that can keep you stuck in distressing cycles and discuss ways to ride those uncomfortable waves of emotion, while exploring your values. This is helpful during times when we cannot change or control a situation.
We do not live in a vacuum and are greatly influenced by people, institutions, legislation, upbringing, and social expectations. My approach explores these factors that impact how we respond to the day-to-day both consciously and unconsciously.
Emotions are like the weather, they come and go, sometimes in unpredictable ways, but the best we can do is understand their purpose and improve our relationship with them.
Building a trusting relationship can take some time and I have always enjoyed having a psychodynamic approach because it allows us to move at a pace that is comfortable for you, discussing your relevant past, how it connects to the present, and what you want for your future.