What is one thing that you have learned through your own therapy?
Prioritizing your goals takes time, consistency, and patience with yourself. Particularly with trauma-work, the pacing and safety you create with your therapist is important and as a result, the need to be compassionate with yourself is key.
What does a typical session with you look like?
I am a client-center therapist meaning you create the tempo and identify the focus of our sessions. I am here to bring in structure and clinical recommendations to guide you, but ultimately I am gentle in my approach with how clients like to proceed.
How do you approach the stigma surrounding mental health and therapy?
I’ve worked a vast array of populations with folks of different backgrounds and experiences. I am learning that “normal” is not an idea that exists as we all come from unique experiences and we all experiences challenges to a degree that should not be pathologized, rather normalizing.
Short Term (Solution-focused, etc.)
Ideal for those who are coming in with a specific problem they’d like to address and gain clarity on. Typically, short term therapies are present focused and do not dive deep into your past.
Structured
Structured therapies are goal and progress oriented. Therapists may incorporate psychoeducation and a specific “curriculum.” In order to stay on track, therapists may provide worksheets and homework.
Insight-oriented (Psychodynamic, Existential, etc.)
Exploring the past and making connections to present issues can help clients gain insight. Getting to the root of the issue and finding deeper self-awareness can help with long-term change.
Non-directive (Humanistic, Person-centered, etc.)
Going with the flow and seeing where it leads.
Behavioral (CBT, DBT, etc.)
Focuses on changing potentially unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors by addressing problematic thought patterns and specific providing coping skills.
Trauma Focused (EMDR, TF-CBT, etc.)
Recognizing the connection between trauma experiences and your emotional and behavioral responses, trauma focused therapy seeks to help you heal from traumas.