Effective therapy requires all of the obvious things: an open mind, hard work, and a gradually developing relationship with a trusted therapist. But with these ingredients in place, therapy can be a transformative experience like no other: one that yields a rich capacity for self-understanding, acceptance, and the ability to connect more intimately with the people that you love.
The overarching goal of treatment, as I see it, is to establish and expand the realm of safety and trust. We all strive to feel comfortable in our skin, worthy and capable of giving and receiving love, and effective in making our own particular mark upon the world. So often, the obstacles to achieving these things are rooted in painful past experiences and the conclusions that we’ve drawn about ourselves or the world based on those hurtful moments. Most of the time, these assumptions have been with us for so long that we do not even realize they’re there, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
I help my patients locate these assumptions at their roots and revisit these old hurts in a safe, collaborative way. Ultimately, there is great freedom and relief to be found in turning toward what we would rather push away. And, often, the thing most feared isn’t as frightening when it is confronted.
Areas of Focus
Relationship Issues and Interpersonal Conflicts
Low or Variable Self-Esteem
Anxiety and Mood Variability
Negative or Variable Body Image
Borderline Personality Disorder
Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder
Parenting and Postpartum
Developing Greater Self-Understanding