My goal is to help you to make positive changes: Maybe you want some help coping with a difficult situation; maybe you just need to untangle and smooth out knotted and frayed emotions; or maybe you've been diagnosed with some sort of medical or psychiatric condition that creates problems for you-I'm here to listen and to talk, to nudge and to cheer-lead as you move forward. Maybe you just need a safe place and another perspective to help you figure out what changes you want to make-that's ok, too! We move at your pace. I have over 20 years' experience working with people with a variety of presenting concerns. These days, I primarily focus on work with teenagers, adults, and seniors, particularly those coping with depression and/or anxiety concerns, including recovery from various kinds of trauma.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My goals are that you take away a sense of being supported emotionally, that you gain some insight into or at least information concerning your concerns, and that you get better at using coping skills -- or even just thinking through the difficulties that you face.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I generally draw from cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused techniques -- meaning that I tend to focus on finding and developing your strengths. Where appropriate, I share information concerning what is known about psych disorders and treatment options and draw your attention to ways you might use this information to help you move toward your goals. Philosophically, I am very much grounded in a humanistic/existential approach to therapy -- I think that the quality of the therapeutic relationship drives therapeutic outcomes, and I do not shy away from talking about certain difficult "universal" concerns shared by most people -- issues concerning values, anxiety about death, the need for relationship, etc.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have had clients comment that they appreciate my sense of humor and use of metaphor to help them take different perspectives on their issues. Similarly, I have heard comments that folks appreciate the sense that I am "being straight" with them, and providing both information and concrete strategies for change.