Services
About My Clients
I really enjoy working with clients at a deep level to enable them to understand their emotions, why they get stuck in patterns of unhealthy relationships, and working through the pain we've all experienced to varying degrees to gain greater internal freedom, peace, and contentment. I work with a lot of folks in the queer community navigating identity, and how to engage with their authoritarian family or religious community structures.
My Background and Approach
I believe that healing takes place in the context of relationships, but a relationship can only form between two people with a sense of self. These are intertwined; how you experience a sense of self emerges as we explore how you understand yourself, how this perspective has been shaped over time and, particularly, in past relationships, and how you currently relate with others by paying attention to what occurs in conversations and interactions. My posture, as a therapist, is to remain curious and open in order to allow space for both the expression and exploration of emotions and thoughts, unspeakable desires or fantasies, dreams, and where responsibility is being located. This means creating a space within my own self to welcome and engage what you bring into the room, while creatively and imaginatively noting what hasn’t yet appeared. This also involves modeling an ability to tolerate the immediate ambiguity and confusion, joining with you in this inner journey together.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian home, and have spent years untangling the impact of a restrictive, emotionally suppressive culture. This has led to developing a value of kindness and curiosity, of being welcoming and accepting of others and myself. It has been a pleasure to work as a therapist to bring greater freedom and openness in the lives of my clients, especially those in the queer community, but also those who, like myself, grew up with strong restrictions and still hesitate to embrace the live they with they could engage.