A P P R O A C H E S

How I roll ...

I have a background in philosophy and psychology, neuroscience research, and systems theory. As a clinician, I approach treatment with the idea that brain/body and mind/self are distinct for human beings, and it is the MIND in which we LIVE.  Therefore, it is important to curate this space in ways that help you cope with the absurdity of life as a human thing (an existential idea).--not an easy feat. So even if you are not currently in crisis, therapy can illuminate the internal life struggles you may be carrying: does this belief still work for me? whose voice is that in my head? am I living authentically? do I even like this anymore, and what the heck do I do with all these feelings everywhere?

EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOLOGY is the foundation of my approach. This set of ideas is multidisciplinary, focusing on self awareness and the search for meaning—in treatment, this means centering on Self rather than Symptom. Here are some basics I keep in mind...

• All people have the capacity for self-awareness (yes, you!)

• Our unique identity can be known only through relationships with others (granted, this can suck sometimes)

• Because we are aware of  death and loss, anxiety is inevitable  (but can be better managed FFS)

• Meaning making is the process that allows us to tolerate our experiences (the stories we tell ourselves)

• Therefore our narratives are productive and ever-changing  (or should be,  let's work on that m'kay?)

You can expect to be asked for your insights, to be encouraged to be authentic , to examine your meanings and to communicate your identity as a unique person that belongs here on this wacky planet. You will be accepted as you are, but  encouraged to grow, challenged to accept what is not in your control, and be redirected to what is--don't worry, I know that is harder than it sounds-- I will appreciate and validate that  THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. 

I also really like learning by doing, which is called EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY. I know that I only have you for an hour at a time and the rest of your life does not work the way therapy does, so I want to create REAL TIME LEARNING with you in our sessions whenever possible. Therefore I use tools and techniques in session meant to provoke an immediate change in your process. And I will teach them to you!

My favorite experiential techniques are those created by Virginia Satir, like family sculpting, defensive postures, leveling, acceptance of differences, belief challenging, cultural awareness, and creativity in response to chaos. She posited that we can become fixed and closed in the status quo. Then when something enters our life we can't cope with in the same old way, we fall into chaos-- this is when most people seek therapy. The good news is we are more open to new ideas when we fall into chaos. Therefore, therapy in the Satir manner is seeking together that transformational idea that relieves your chaos. 

Once we find the important tools for where you are in your journey, we usually have to keep working on them until it feels natural to you. And then we have to integrate across tools to reveal the matrix that is how the brain works underneath all that STUFF IN YOUR MIND.  It might entail a mind blown emoji or two. :)

COACHING is different from therapy in that it is more outcome focused and more directive, advice is given that is meant to influence your decision making, improve y, and develop your potential.

I offer coaching specific to relationships, like strategies for co-parenting, dating and making friends in the digital age, and improving your self esteem. If you have tried therapy before but are still stuck on relationship issues, coaching might be the extra edge you need to address your social functioning.

"Your responses to the events of life are more important than the events themselves."

I also find ATTACHMENT THEORY is a critical addition to my work, which posits the quality of the bonding you experienced during the early childhood caregiver relationship often determines how well you relate to other people and respond to intimacy throughout life.

When we feel safe and understood, we can regulate our internal experience better as we grow because we have a secure attachment. In adulthood, this translates to being more self-confident, trusting, and hopeful, with an ability to healthily manage conflict, respond to intimacy, and navigate the ups and downs of relationships.

Working on attachment improves our ability to tolerate external stress, create closeness, better understand our own emotions and the feelings of others,

If you struggle to maintain stable relationships in adulthood, you may have an insecure attachment style and attachment based therapy can help you repair some attachment injuries.