My Approach to Therapy
Choosing a therapist can be daunting! You are tasked to find someone who you connect with, trust, and to guide you toward the life you desire. This may be your first time seeing a therapist or your tenth; perhaps you have sifted through multiple profiles and websites trying to find the “right” one. Finding a therapist you are comfortable with, one who you feel “fits” you, is just as, if not more, important as the work we’ll do together. Here are some traits you can expect from me:
Authenticity: I approach my work the same way I approach other aspects of my life, with curiosity rather than judgement, objectivity, honesty coupled with compassion, and a healthy dose of humor. If I have the expectation of you coming into my office with vulnerability and authenticity, then you should expect the same transparency from me.
Unconditional positive regard: I am on your side, period. If I am seeing you as a couple or a family, then I am on the side of your relationship or your family system. Because I want the best possible outcomes for you and your relationships, I will challenge thoughts and behaviors that do not serve you or others. I will offer alternatives to ponder and collaborate with you to come up with new coping skills, responses, and healthy interactional patterns. I may push you to expand your views, but this is done only for the benefit of you!
Humility: Regardless of my education, competence, and drive, I strive to stay grounded. I will not pretend to know more about what works for you than you do. Over the course of therapy, I will continue to check in with you to ensure we are working toward your desired goals or if there are new goals you would like to work toward. I welcome your feedback and encourage you to discuss what is and is not working in therapy. I am always looking for ways to improve myself, whether it be through continuing education, research, or client feedback.
“I want you to get excited about who you are, what you have, and what can still be for you. I want to inspire you to see that you can go far beyond where you are right now. ”
I have the fundamental belief that each of us has a fairly consistent core and personality within us that develops early in life. Life transitions, experiences, and relationships alter our beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world around as we adapt to differing circumstances. While some of these adaptations may be full of growth, beauty, and self-development, others may cause us to feel stuck, out of control, confused, angry, or fearful. When these emotions become a constant in your life, feelings of depression and anxiety often emerge. I am trauma informed and have extensive Brainspotting training to utilize as an auxiliary treatment to talk therapy.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are. ”
My goal is to help you rediscover your true core, allowing you to feel comfortable and secure within yourself and your relationships. I practice in a way that not only focuses on feelings, but also the mind-body connection. Often, our brain may become stuck in patterned automatic thoughts and reactions through repetition. This may have been helpful to your survival at one point in your life, but has now proven to be self-defeating . Through commitment and practice, you can create positive and meaningful adaptations that inspire you to approach life and the accompanying challenges with hope, strength, and self-compassion.
Many of my clients have expressed they leave sessions feeling heard, empowered, and better able to approach problems in a grounded and more objective way. You can feel safe in a judgement-free space where we will explore your past and present. I will help you to peel back the layers to reveal the root causes of unwanted thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and empathetically challenge you to initiate the growth you desire.