Services
About My Clients
Clients whom I've worked well with are often experiencing interpersonal struggles, depression, anxiety, physical symptoms, and unhelpful behaviors that stem from earlier trauma. Some clients may be new to therapy and others may have done a lot of therapy and are looking for a different approach. I've also worked with many clients who are struggling with a current issue such as stress, illness, loss, relationship issues, and life transitions. I've witnessed so much courage and resilience.
My Background and Approach
Prior to Private Practice I worked at the Chicago Center for Relational Health for 4 years and at the Center for Contextual Change for fifteen years, where I was trained in the Collaborative Change Model and worked extensively with adults with histories of complex relational trauma. Prior to working at CCC I worked in a hospital system in both inpatient and outpatient mental health programs. My career started with counseling older adults and their families in a social service agency. My approach to therapy is collaborative, nonjudgmental, client-centered, relational, and respectful. The first stage in the therapy process builds trust and safety within the therapy relationship. An important goal may be to address emotional regulation issues and to reduce behaviors that may be harmful or unhelpful. Healing, growth, and change will occur in the second stage of therapy, and consolidating changes in the third stage of working together contextually.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I believe that most people are doing their best to live a meaningful and purposeful life. Intense and overwhelming emotions and behaviors are understandable reactions to invalidating, if not dehumanizing environments which occur in families, institutions, communities, and cultures. Radical acceptance and self-compassion are crucial frameworks in the process of gaining some contentment. Life is an ongoing process of learning more life skills. Therapy can help us to better understand what we are experiencing and how to proceed toward goals that are helpful. I have applied these beliefs, philosophies, and skills to my own life.