Therapy can feel like going to the gym more than like getting a massage: the work is difficult at times and you may be sore on some days, but it builds necessary strength and endurance to empower you to work towards your goals.

The model that forms the basis of my approach is called psychodynamic therapy, focused on the essential question of how the client’s mind works. This method emphasizes understanding of one’s inner life and experience in a profound and meaningful way, and seeks to understand how one’s past continues to impact the present. It helps by providing a mirror to otherwise unseen parts of oneself that can cause significant distress so that they can be accepted, understood, and changed. The underlying assumption in this approach is that the therapist’s role is not to offer advice or peddle solutions but to empower clients to remove that which is keeping them from growth and development.

The basis for my approach does not change for those seeking help for resolving a myriad of issues that arise from complex trauma. However, in these cases, we may need to supplement our work with other techniques and approaches. Those who have been raised in dysfunctional environments and who have experienced harrowing events in their lives often need to learn how to manage intense emotional experiences and tolerate memories that feel too painful. I will incorporate skill-building into therapy when I believe it is needed to create safety and grounding. Despite the importance of utilizing these techniques, we will not lose sight of you as a unique individual and your way of experiencing the world.