my therapeutic approach

a wholistic, strengths-based perspective

I conceptualize my clients’ presenting problems from a strengths-based framework, and strive to create a non-judgmental and empathetic climate in my therapeutic relationships. I believe that our brains and bodies naturally want to cooperate together to find health and balance. Therefore, lasting improvements in mental health require embodied interventions as well as cognitive ones.

therapy as a collaborative process

I strive to create empathic therapeutic relationships. I invite clients to collaborate with me as part of a therapeutic team. Clients are invited to set their own goals and give me ongoing feedback on their treatment experience. I regularly use homework assignments to assist clients in building new skills and improving overall functioning in life outside the therapy office.

integrated, research-based approaches

My integrated therapy approach utilizes appropriate, empirically-based techniques and frameworks to formulate an individualized treatment plan — with a healthy mix of directness, non-judgment, and humor.

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At the end of the first session I provide clients with a suggested plan for collaborative treatment. If the therapeutic relationship feels like a good fit, we will work together as a “therapy team” to make treatment as effective and efficient as possible. Therapy is not magic and it’s often not easy – but improved mental health and better relationships are reasonable expectations of treatment.

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Depending on the needs of each individual client, my approach can include elements of the following modalities:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy)
• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)
• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
• MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
• Relational-Cultural therapy