My classwork in graduate school included exposure to lots of therapeutic modalities. Over the time that I have been practicing I have settled into a blend of several including psychodynamic, humanistic, existential, and Internal Family Systems.

If you don't know what these words mean, that's okay. What you'll notice as I work from this perspective is that I'm asking questions about your past experiences, early childhood influences, siblings, and feelings toward the people who raised you. We will also explore ways you cope with difficulty and how you defend yourself against uncomfortable experiences. We might talk about your competing internal desires and how they are impacting you, or big questions that you're wrestling with including "am I enough?" or "what’s my purpose?" I may challenge some deeply held thoughts you have and encourage you to consider other perspectives.

I give clients frequent feedback and ask that they practice doing the same with me. I ask a lot of questions about what you are feeling and thinking during session. If you don't like something I am doing, are feeling a strong reaction toward me, or have a question, it is incredibly helpful for you to work toward naming it in the moment. The hope is that after practicing doing this with me, it will get easier in your interpersonal relationships.

I believe that healing occurs over time within the context of a consistent, attuned relationship that can mimic the "ideal" parent relationship. For that reason, I prefer to work with individuals in a long-term capacity. Experiencing some approximation of the ideal parent with me can expose gaps and help us talk about what might have been missing with early caregivers.

Individual therapy is hard work. I keep that in mind and offer encouragement as well as hope for a different future.