Services
About My Clients
"How can I be of the best help to you?" This is how we will begin our first session together. I see my role as listening to you, affirming you, brainstorming with you, challenging you, occasionally providing education to you, and empowering you. Perhaps most importantly I recognize that it is often the world that needs changing, not you. I work with adults and my specialties are mood disorders and trauma, although no one's experience can be compartmentalized so easily. Let's chat.
My Background and Approach
My primary approaches are Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Based Therapy. Many folx assume that cognitive therapy is just "talking things out" but modern approaches incorporate mindfulness, gratitude, and somatics (relating to the body). I teach and train in Motivational Interviewing and am a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). I am on the Psychiatric Consultation & Liaison Team at Community Health Network and also on the RISE (Resilience in Stressful Events) Team, a group dedicated to providing support after traumatic events. I am a social worker first and think systemically. I will encourage you to place your experience in wider social and political contexts.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
Some of the values I hold in my work and life are: 1) Safety: EVERYONE is welcome in my practice. 2) Cultural humility: I only know my experience but I am curious about yours and the identities you hold. I will also work to share and shift power both in the relationship and systemically. This includes an anti-racist practice of my own. 3) Body autonomy: Your body is your own, and no one else's. Only you get to make decisions about it no matter my (or anyone else's) opinion. This is a core tenet for me in being trauma-responsive. 4) "Evidence-based woo:" This is a term coined by a brilliant client! I deeply value research and evidence and also remain open to alternative forms of healing. However I believe we must be intentional in our work with one another. There are absolutely flaws in some research and many institutions, but nothing is black and white. I welcome it all with a critical eye. 5) Humanity: I am a person who is also learning, growing, and changing.