Services
- Individual
- Adolescent/Teen
About My Clients
*also licensed in RI and CT* Anxiety, anger, pain, sadness...we all experience these things in varying degrees. It's part of the human experience. Whatever the obstacles in your way, I am here for you! In many ways, the role of a therapist is like that of a guide. We will embark on this journey of self improvement together.
My Background and Approach
My approach is a behavior therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) although I also uses techniques and ideas from other therapies based on what the individual needs. In ACT, I will work with you on getting your life going in the direction you want it to be going while also helping you to better handle the obstacles along the way. The name of my practice is Learning to Bend Counseling Services. The meaning behind this name encompasses the philosophy of my approach. Throughout history there have been many examples of the metaphor of 'bending like a tree.' My favorite is from Tao Te Ching which is, "The tree that is unbending is easily broken." So what does this have to do with counseling? Well, we humans can be quite rigid. 'Things need to be this way. I cannot have this anxiety/pain/sadness.' In counseling, the aim is to work with you on learning to "bend" with the winds life throws at us instead of fighting the winds we cannot control.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
As I said above, I really do take pride in approaching my role as a therapist as someone who is down to earth. I don't use big words to try and impress my clients, I will share relevant personal experiences to normalize and exemplify how internal experiences can impact our lives, and I will celebrate your success as if my soccer team just scored a goal because that is what it feels like for me. More about me: environmentalist, amateur pizza chef, avid gardener, self proclaimed coffee snob (a nice one), dog lover, anti-war, and, if not obvious, a believer in human rights for ALL--treat others the way you want to be treated. I think I'm also asked here to share some of my other interests/beliefs so here goes: I'm an environmentalist, avid gardener, amateur pizza maker, love my video games, and I love dogs.