Psychotherapy

Individual Therapy

I offer individual therapy for adults, youths, and school-aged children, and I welcome clients of all cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations/identities.

Whether you are looking for brief therapy focused on a specific problem, or longer-term therapy aimed at making fundamental changes in your life, I can help you reach your goals.  I will collaborate with you through every step of the process, making sure that you understand and agree with your diagnosis and treatment plan; that you decide on the pace, nature and duration of therapy; and that you feel confident about the progress that you are making.  If you need further assessment or medication consultation, I can refer you to an appropriate provider or work with the provider that you already have.

Therapy is a two-way process of growth and transformation that enables me to learn from every client, and I am committed to remaining open to new insights and continual improvement as I work with you.  It is an honor to be invited to join you on your path toward self-understanding, improvement and healing.

The following are some of problems that I can help you to address in individual therapy. Please note that while diagnoses help guide treatment, people rarely fit neatly into diagnostic categories, and my focus is always on the person rather than the diagnosis.

• Anxiety, panic and obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Trauma and stressor-related disorders
• Depression and suicidality
• Substance use disorders
• Eating disorders
• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders
• Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
• Personality disorders
• Sleep problems
• Grief and loss
• Issues related to identity, sexuality, personal development, midlife, aging and life transitions

Children and Youth

My primary clinical focus with school-aged children (ages 6-12) is ADHD.  When working with young people, I adhere to the saying, “the family is the client.”  In most cases, I like to intersperse individual sessions with parent and family sessions to ensure that close family members are involved in the treatment.  Families are often looking for ways in which they can help at home, and I am happy to work with families to find steps they can take to improve their interactions, routines and ways of managing difficult situations.  I also consult with doctors, school teachers and other school professionals at the family’s request.

My clinical focus with teens (ages 13-18) is not limited to any particular problem or diagnosis. When I work with teens, I am mindful that emerging adults have complex needs that include playing an active role in planning their own treatment; balancing independence and dependence in relationships with their families; and needing to be assured of privacy and confidentiality within the bounds of safety.

Couples

Committed relationships thrive on trust and intimacy, and yet these can be difficult to maintain in the face of life’s continual challenges.  When a couple decides to seek outside help, it is often after enduring years of increasing pain and alienation.  Nevertheless, working from a foundation of safety and respect, and with care and attention to mutually-agreed-upon goals, it is possible to improve your relationship.  Coming to understand one’s own attachment history, feelings, behaviors and needs is an integral piece of the process.  I utilize an emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) approach.  Most sessions will include both partners, with occasional individual sessions as needed to support the goals of the couple’s treatment.