COUNSELING OVERVIEW
I have an eclectic therapeutic style and can utilize different approaches based on what is most helpful to you and best fits your unique needs. However, I would describe myself primarily as a relational therapist. I believe we, as people, are built to form connections with others and that the relationships and attachments we have throughout our lives play important roles in our biological, emotional, and cognitive development; quality of relationships; levels of happiness and fulfillment; sense of well-being and self-worth; and in our overall functioning. Given this, at times, I will ask for us to look into the past to see how important experiences and relationships impact your life now. I will also ask for us to pay attention to the relationships you have in your life currently, your early childhood relationships, and our therapeutic relationship throughout our work together.
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
I use a variety of approaches when working with clients based on what is the best fit for their needs, personal style, and presenting issues. These include: Relational Therapy, Attachment Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Mindfulness, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy/ Somatic Techniques, Client-Centered/ Humanistic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. Depending on a client's needs and preferences, I may also use expressive art and writing techniques to help clients express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences that may be difficult to communicate with words. Some clients find engagement in this non-verbal and creative process helpful. Some of the issues that I treat are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relational Difficulties
- Parenting Issues
- Family Problems
- Issues of Self-Worth/ Low Self-Esteem
- Feelings of Guilt & Shame
- Coping Skills
- Stress Management
- Navigating Life Transitions
- Questions of Identity
- PTSD/ Trauma-Related Symptoms
- Domestic Violence
- Childhood Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Abuse
- Sexual/Physical Assault
- Relational/Attachment Trauma
- Grief/ Bereavement / Loss
CHILD COUNSELING
I believe working successfully with children requires the establishment of a safe, caring, and consistent environment as well as the development of secure relationships between the therapist, child, and child's family. Having a secure base with caregivers and with me as their therapist can help children better explore and process their feelings, improve affect tolerance, strengthen their ability to express themselves, develop a stronger sense of self, and enhance relational skills and bonds. Children don't always have the ability to express their emotions and needs verbally. I work closely with the children's families and use the therapeutic relationship in addition to art, theater, music, play, and mindfulness techniques to help them process their feelings, improve behavioral issues, and enhance their distress tolerance and positive communication skills. Some of the issues I can help children and their families address are:
- Acting Out/ Impulsive Behaviors
- Excessive Anger/ Temper Tantrums
- Difficulties with Communication
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Low Self-Esteem
- Problems in School
- Family Difficulties
- Life Transitions
- Separations
- Social/ Peer Relationship Problems
- Sibling Relational Problems
- Parent/ Child Relational Problems
- Attachment Ruptures with Caregivers
- Parenting Support/ Family Therapy
- Reflective Parenting Skills
- Unresolved Trauma
- Previous Child Abuse
- Grief/ Bereavement/ Loss
TRAUMA-FOCUSED COUNSELING
My approach to working with trauma survivors is based in Psychodynamic, Mindfulness, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy techniques and I am certified as a Level I Sensorimotor Psychotherapist. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a cutting edge treatment approach that utilizes mindfulness and body-oriented/somatic processing in addition to talk therapy techniques to help clients heal from their experience and resolve their trauma symptoms on a physical, emotional, and cognitive level. I also believe in the benefits of a holistic approach and, when wanted and helpful for the client, encourage the engagement in other forms of healing, such as: art, music, dance, theater, yoga, and/or martial arts. Some areas of trauma that I treat are:
- Attachment/ Relational Trauma
- Adult Children of Alcoholics
- Sexual Abuse/ Physical Abuse/ Emotional Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual/ Physical Assault
- Survivor of Violent Accident/ Natural Disaster