Contact Me
Getting Started
I strongly believe that when the therapist and client are on the same page, therapy is more likely to be helpful to you. Here is a description of what it’s like to work together and some of the values I bring to my work. If, after reading this, you think I’m a good fit for your needs, please complete the New Client Screening form at the bottom of the page.
I work with clients ages 18 and up who are ready to work hard during and outside of sessions. I may make an exception and work with children if they are a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and want to do therapy. We will be working as a team and I will be here to support you all the way. I will teach you different concepts during therapy sessions and take you through exercises to help you integrate the information to practice in between sessions. I will ask you to be open and curious, but you always have a choice if you feel uncomfortable with an exercise. Therapy isn’t easy and it is often awkward, but it is worth the hard work you put into it. Change means stepping outside of our comfort zone. If you are someone who is willing to learn new concepts and practice them outside of therapy, then we may be a good fit.
In our society, a “symptom” is, by definition, something “pathological” and something we should try to get rid of. This is NOT my approach. Science has been proving for many years that it is ineffective and counterproductive to try to get rid of or control emotions or psychological experiences. Many clients will tell me, “I can’t live with this [insert symptom here]!” Yes, you can. Your efforts to suppress pain, anxiety, depression, sadness, guilt, etc., are causing more distress and the need for more suppression. This is why symptom reduction is a terrible goal.
I aim to help you transform your relationship with your difficult thoughts and feelings so that you no longer perceive them as “symptoms.” If you don’t feel the need to get rid of them, they lose their power over you. In therapy, you will learn to reduce their impact and influence through the effective use of psychological skills.
This type of therapy is learned by doing, so we will meet weekly. Once you have practiced the skills in your daily life and feel confident using them consistently, we will check-in with each other and see what the next step will be for our sessions. We may end therapy or reduce session frequency depending on our your needs. I only do Telehealth video appointments using a HIPAA compliant platform called Simple Practice.
In addition, my practice is not equipped to provide regular support between our scheduled sessions. Keep this in mind as you determine whether I’m a good fit for your needs.
- Working with me is not like visiting a medical doctor. It’s not just talking about your problems and feelings. It’s a very active form of treatment. It requires your best efforts to change actions which in turn will lead to changes in your relationship with yourself, others, and your life.
- I encourage you to make therapy a part of your life by reflecting on what we’ve discussed, doing the homework, and practicing skills.
- Please communicate your needs. When you give me feedback, I consider it an opportunity to move your therapy and the therapeutic relationship in a more workable direction.
- Therapy won’t be easy. Even though we start therapy seeking change, change is often far more difficult than we anticipated. Be patient, have faith in the process, trust that challenges are a sign of change.
Request to Start Therapy
I currently have one opening on Friday's at 11:00am. Please complete the form below.
Please complete the New Client Screening form after you have reviewed the information section above to ensure my approach works for you.