LCSW, 10 years of experience
I'm Ayla! I'm a clinical social worker passionate about helping people deal with the mental and emotional stresses that come with managing chronic illness, disability, and aging. I believe building an authentic human relationship rooted in non-judgement, caring attention, and respect for your unique goals is the key to effective therapy. For me, humor is an essential tool for connection and helps soften the difficult and sometimes painful work of healing. I aim for a balance between deep, transformative reflection and practical changes that can make everyday life feel lighter.
My aim is for clients to better understand the cultural and personal stories that damage their sense of self and contribute to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and difficulties in relationships. After working with me, I hope for clients to have a clearer connection to their sense of purpose, self-worth, and pleasure.
My roots in community mental health give me an expansive view of how change happens. I primarily use talk therapy with some somatic and mindfulness elements. In addition to in-office and tele-health options, we can discuss alternative ways to meet (e.g. walk-and-talk sessions, home visits) that best help you reach your goals.
I specialize in working with people who have complicated relationships to their bodies. Whether because of chronic illness, pain, aging, or reproductive issues, my clients often feel frustrated, stuck, and tired. I am able to help them identify the things that help them feel most alive and able to reach meaningful goals. I am well-equipped to explore how gender, sexuality, and race impact our experiences of our bodies and our interactions with the medical system.
I have extensive training in psychodynamic models of treatment. In my practice, I use these models to help clients notice patterns in their relationships and make connections between childhood experiences and their current struggles.
I have formal training in ACT and often use tools from this model to help clients identify their values and find creative, non-judgemental ways to live in ways that match their goals and values. These strategies are based in the present and can involve immediate problem-solving.
Drawing on decades of personal practice as well as formal training in somatic and mindfulness interventions, mind and body awareness is an important part of how I help clients cope with difficult emotions and build resiliency.