Services
- Individual
- Couples
- Adolescent/Teen
About My Clients
I understand that each individual is not an illness or label, rather a person with multiple contributing factors towards his or her distress and/or reasons that are his or her impetus for seeking help. For this reason, I try my best, as renowned psychotherapist Irvin Yalom puts it, to “create a new therapy for each client.”
My Background and Approach
My primary therapy orientation is person-centered, inasmuch as I strongly believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is paramount for client growth. I maintain that therapy should be an authentic experience, and the client’s need to be heard, valued, and understood is primary. I see my role as both a leader and a follower in treatment to promote client change, and thus I practice a balance of basic empathy and unconditional positive regard, versus directiveness in therapy. While I like to operate from an insight-oriented therapeutic stance, as I deem change that happens inside-out to be most lasting, it requires clients to have a certain level of insight into their concerns. It can be frustrating for clients who do not know what is judicious to discuss in sessions, and therefore I work with clients as well to encourage outside-in changes that can be used as a springboard to promote insight and effect lasting change.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I have experience working with individuals, couples, and families – adolescents and adults suffering from depression/mood disorders, anxiety, trauma/abuse, addiction and substance use, divorce, infidelity, family conflict, relationship issues, self-harming, suicidal ideations, and grief. Additionally, I have done work with clients involving career path, self-esteem/self-confidence, coping skills, life-transitions, and everyday issues. Prior to private practice, I have previously worked in the school system, for an outpatient mental health clinic, as well as in a comprehensive addictions counseling center.