(she/her)
New to Grow
I am a licensed therapist with a PhD in Clinical Psychology who has worked in the field for most of my adult life, in a variety of settings and with a wide range of people. I use approaches and methods drawn from classes, teachers, and traditions that speak to the universality of human suffering and the need for tender, fierce, and playful compassion to help relieve it. Suffering can arise from a specific problematic emotional or behavioral pattern that needs changing, calling for a focused systematic approach. Or someone can suffer from a vague chronic dissatisfaction and worry that, "there's something wrong with me," inviting gentle but persistant curiosity and education. Often suffering comes from anxiety, depression, loneliness, feeling stuck, or simply overwhelmed. I invite clients to "think out loud" with me, verbally or otherwise, sharing only when and what they're ready to, but listening for aspects of their experience that may need attention, including neglected aspects of themselves. I offer suggestions, and encourage trying new behaviors and noticing the results. "If what you're doing isn't working, do something else."
I've found again and again that a good fit between myself and my clients is essential, and that clients are best able to decide if I'm a good enough fit for them. Therefore, my initial role is to offer a respectful welcome, answer questions, address concerns, and collaboratively explore the client's desires, challenges, resources, and strengths. This exploration can be very different from client to client, especially in working with children and teens rather than adults, but is intended to clearly identify and find agreement about problems and goals. Once agreed, we begin to experiment with what helps.
My therapeutic approach has three major roots. One is the work of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. and his students. Erickson was a phenomenal hypnotherapist and healer and inspired the development of brief therapy, solution-focused therapy, strategic therapy, and self-relations. One is the work of Carl G. Jung, particularly in regard to archetypes and Archetypal Psychology, emphasizing that much of what runs our lives is outside of conscious awareness. The third is psychobiology, from the ongoing work of many researchers in a range of disciplines, including developmental and evolutionary psychology and somatic work. These three lineages inform my integral view of the development of problems, how we humans influence and are influenced by our experiences, and how to be an agent for change on behalf of my clients, as well as fostering a highly individualized approach to each client. As C.G. Jung said, "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed." The transformation in me is in service to the desired change in my client.
Integrative
The integrative method allows me to allign my approach with individual's challenges, goals, and resources. This means that what we do in sessions can be different from person to person, or vary widely for a single client whose needs change over time. I often draw upon the skill sets of DBT (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional self-regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness) since these serve as a sturdy and resilient foundation for dealing with life's challenges. These skills also integrate well with the strength-based, solution-oriented, Jungian/Archetypal, developmental, and psychobiological perspectives I've studied and used for many years.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness is essential for reducing personal suffering and for improving one's relationship with oneself and with the world, particularly the interpersonal world. I practice and model mindfulness during sessions, demonstrating as well as explaining their value. I offer specific suggestions and encouragement for clients to develop their own set of mindfulness skills, practice them, and notice the results.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is central to my work with young clients, who may not want or be able to put their experiences, thoughts, and feelings into words. Additionally, children naturally develop emotional and interpersonal skills through play so I utilize this natural strength. I also offer play therapy, including Sand-Play, with adult clients who want inner-child work or an expressive and non-verbal approach.