Approach
My approach is engaging, directive, appropriately challenging, and empathetic. I am eclectic in my work, utilize varying techniques that are individually suited to my clients. I am trained to utilize the following:
TREATMENT FOCUS INCLUDES:
Anxiety, Depression, Substance Abuse & Addiction, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Betrayal/Infidelity, and Couple Therapy
Anxiety
Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. You may feel anxious when faced with giving a speech in front of crowd, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include having difficulty concentrating, being irritable, having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Anxiety might even cause physiological symptoms such as fatigue, restlessness, lightheadedness or develop into panic attacks, which is your body's way of asking for help. While anxiety can feel overwhelming and debilitating at times, therapy can help people become more aware of their experience and teach them techniques to manage their anxiety. You don't have to grin and bear it, therapy can provide you with the tools to cope more effectively.
Depression
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and function on a daily basis. Some common symptoms of depression may include feeling down or hopeless, a lack of interest or motivation in daily activities, low energy or fatigue, irritability, isolated, unfocused, and difficulty eating and/or sleeping. Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. Whether depression is new for you or not, it’s important to remember that it is common and treatable, meaning you don’t have to feel this way forever. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is. You owe it to yourself to learn the tools in therapy to defeat these symptoms and rediscover your version of happiness. We will work collaboratively to explore your thoughts and feelings and create a unique treatment plan that will help to achieve your goals.
Substance Abuse & Addiction
The psychodynamic approach to addiction therapy is thought to be most effective as part of a comprehensive treatment program; it also may be more effective after a person has been sober for a period of time. Therapists who employ a psychodynamic approach to addiction treatment/therapy is specifically trained and possess significant knowledge of substance abuse, 12-step programs, and related topics. I believe that the psychodynamic approach is a vital component of successful treatment.
The psychodynamic approach to addiction therapy looks at how past events, thoughts​, and circumstances shape a patient's present behaviors. It is believed that these factors result in unconscious processes that cause a person to act in a particular manner. For instance, a person who was abused in the past may exhibit behaviors that get in the way of healthy relationships, despite the individual's expressed desire to form them. These unresolved conflicts and experiences might result in the need or desire to abuse alcohol or drugs.
Grief & Loss
Feelings of loss and grief can be experienced after we lose someone or something we care about like; the death of a loved one; loss of a relationship; loss of a pet; or a change to your way of life. The grief you experience in these instances is not an illness – it is a normal response to a life event that everyone must face at some point. The intensity of our grief, how long it lasts, and our reactions to it will differ from person to person. Grief symptoms often include feeling sad or down, frequent crying, difficulty eating or sleeping, depression, stress, anxiety, anger, guilt, feeling numb or detached.
Betrayal
Betrayal is often thought of as a loss of trust, and has been treated by professionals utilizing grief approaches due to that perception. Following original research and experience from betrayal expert Holli Kenley, MA, LMFT, betrayal can actually be addressed from the perspective of a loss of self. Identifying three states of being that one encounters after a betrayal, the approach I utilize with clients focuses on looking inward on the path towards healing. Being able to address the shame and loss of identity that comes with betrayal is helpful in processing the emotions associated with it.
The first state one encounters after a betrayal is a state of confusion, with many questions and the all encompassing “why” factor. Working through those questions to get to a place of turning inward towards making intentional choices on how to live one’s life is an important step in ceasing from trying to make sense of the many questions that arise after a betrayal.
The second state of being is one of worthlessness. By reflecting on the feelings of self worth that have been impacted by the betrayal, clients can then begin to address the feelings that have affected their sense of self. This can aid in grounding clients in their own truths and getting to a place where they no longer questions their worth.
The third state of being is the state of powerlessness. This feeling is one of not being able to control the situation. Addressing and letting go of what a person cannot control is helpful in working through this state of being.
Utilizing inward approaches to work through betrayal is helpful in the healing process, and addressing the unhealed betrayal trauma that can cause discomfort in our daily lives
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Trauma
Trauma therapy is a type of therapy specifically designed to help individuals who have experienced traumatic events. It aims to address the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of trauma. Trauma can have a profound impact on a person's life, causing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and difficulty with relationships.
Trauma therapy involves creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore and process their traumatic experiences. Therapists trained in trauma therapy use various techniques and approaches to help clients heal and recover. Some common approaches include trauma focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns and Brainspotting, which helps individuals process traumatic memories.
The specific goals of trauma therapy may vary depending on the individual, but generally, it aims to reduce distressing symptoms, improve coping skills, enhance self-esteem, and promote overall healing and resilience. It is important to work with a qualified therapist who specializes in trauma therapy to ensure you receive appropriate support and care.
Couple Therapy
Everyone wants an “ideal relationship”, one where there is minimal fighting, quality affection, a deep sense of trust, emotional support and fulfilling connection—and of course plenty of laughter and fun. It can feel frustrating and disheartening when yours feels fraught with distress, communication problems, and a lack of intimacy. It might be tempting to fall into the trap of thinking that “if only my partner would be different, we wouldn't have this problem”, but the truth is that relationships are complex and ALL relationships have challenges to navigate and difficult situations to overcome.
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Couple therapy can help you and your partner to:
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Identify the problematic cycle of interaction and how to change it
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Build a deeper level of understanding for each other
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Gain the valuable experience of actually doing things differently in the therapy room so you can build a new roadmap for challenges and conflict
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Learn new skills to work through difficult conversations
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Address sexual issues in your relationship and enhance your physical intimacy/ affection
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Deal with a painful issues that you just can’t seem to move past
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​The framework I use most often with couples is called Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson in the 1980’s, EFT is founded on the belief that we are emotionally dependent on our partners and that we need them to feel loved and secure. EFT explores both partners’ attachment needs and focuses on rebuilding trust and strengthening the connection between partners. Research studies find that 70-75% of distressed couples that participate in EFT recover from hardship and report being happier as a result. EFT has also shown to yield long-term effects, including couples who are at risk for divorce.
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