LCSW, 12 years of experience
New to Grow
It's important to have a safe place to go to talk about tough things, and about daily life. Where there are no "shoulds" or expectations to fit in a certain box. This is where healing can begin. I generally work within a psychodynamic structure, also known as talk therapy, which focuses on processing experiences and exploring early events and developmental stuff that can get in the way of functioning and growth today. But I’m also practical. It’s important to have goals and to work with tools that help, and to deal with the here and now.
The intake and early sessions are an important space to find out what makes a client tick, hear their life story, understand what they’re dealing with, and learn what they would like to get out of therapy. Sometimes, therapy starts in the intake. When I see someone being hard on themselves or when I recognize that they’ve never before said these things out loud, we can stop and take that moment in together. It can be very powerful just to name our concerns and feel heard. Therapy sessions with me are interactive and can feel conversational, and in our early sessions I’ll gather important information about what you’re looking for in therapy as well as historical and family information and dynamics.
I like to work with humor, and I can be challenging and direct with a light touch. I might say, “Hey, you’re doing that thing I know you don’t want to do. Can we talk about that?” Life is a mixed bag; we’re always going to have challenges along the way. What’s most important is the ability to love, work, and play, without torturing ourselves too much with worry, and without being completely destroyed by life’s inevitable hard knocks. Most of all, I hope to be a compassionate, direct, and objective collaborator, discovering what works best for my clients to make the changes they want in their lives.
I enjoy working with a diverse range of clients, including adults, young adults, and elders. I am particularly well-suited to support those navigating life transitions, whether they are starting a new job, moving, or exploring a new chapter in their personal or professional lives. I am also well-positioned to serve creative individuals and those in demanding careers in the entertainment, corporate, and non-profit sectors. My own professional background gives me a deep understanding of the unique pressures and challenges of these environments. I can help you find ways to thrive in your career while staying true to yourself. Many of my clients come to me to work on relationship challenges, whether they're struggling with communication, seeking deeper connections, or navigating the complexities of being single. My approach is also a good fit for anyone who is ready to heal by exploring their past and current experiences and is open to self-discovery, compassion, and change. I believe the most successful therapy happens when there is a strong partnership between client and therapist. If you're looking for a therapist who is warm, curious, and accepting, as well as direct and practical, we may be a great fit. My goal is to create a safe space where you can share your challenges and longings, laugh, and find the tools you need to create the life you want.
I generally work within a psychodynamic structure, also known as talk therapy, which focuses on processing experiences and exploring early events and developmental stuff that can get in the way of functioning and growth today. But I’m also practical. It’s important to have goals and to work with tools that help, and to deal with the here and now.
I have decades of formal practice and study in Buddhist teachings and meditation and find that this work has been integral to my own sense of self-acceptance, understanding, and healing. These practices can be used in therapy in many ways, such as reminder sto check in with emotions in the body; and tools for calming, refocusing, and getting comfortable with our thoughts and feelings.