Services
- Individual
- Group
About My Clients
My clients can feel stuck, hopeless, anxious, and sad. They can feel lonely and aren't sure how to feel more attuned and connected with themselves and others. They may not know how to begin to live a life of value or how to find more joy and meaning in their lives. Throughout our work together, clients and I begin to explore what keeps them stuck and learn ways to find hope and joy again.
My Background and Approach
Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Buddhist Psychology, we will explore lots of ways in which we can practice acceptance and commit to value-guided actions-- practicing acceptance around our thoughts, our feelings, our physical sensations, and still committing to, as the young kids say, living our best lives. For example, we can notice our difficult emotions in a kind/gentle/compassionate way. We can also notice that because of this difficult emotion, we're wanting to avoid/isolate (I'm looking at you, depression!). And, the challenge will be to still work on committing to engaging in what's important to us (e.g., going to see loved ones, working on an amazing presentation for school, doing some yoga moves, connecting to our purpose in this life). Acceptance and committed actions can be difficult things to practice, but mindfulness and self-compassion practices help wonderfully on that journey.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
Outside of ACT & Buddhist psychology, being a feminist psychologist means that I keep in mind individuals’ cultures, history, and the various obstacles they may face (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia). All of these obstacles impact mental health. I was reminded recently that sometimes it doesn't make sense to give individuals diagnoses; it makes more sense to diagnose these oppressive systems that we live in. When experiencing oppression, it's so important to engage in healing and liberating work; this healing work often entails individuals finding safe spaces in online and offline communities-- where they can be themselves, share their stories with others, share their dreams for a less oppressive future, remember their peers and ancestors who may have been taken away too soon, and share the music, writings, and arts they love.