My approach to therapy is based on a guiding principle: There’s no substitute for sharing one’s life experiences – negative as well as positive – with someone who offers validation and support in a judgment-free environment.
This principle enables my new clients, who may be seeing a therapist for the first time ever, to expect a thoughtful, empathic atmosphere in which to share their stories and feel heard, valued and respected. But sessions with me are not always serious business – humor can be therapeutic, and laughter helps build rapport with clients. I find that a strong therapist / client relationship fosters healthy change and collaboration enables me to act as an emotional safety net while clients are walking the tightrope of life.
I utilize various therapeutic techniques, including CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy, among others. Pulling from numerous resources enables me to tailor my approach to the client’s specific needs and level of readiness to work toward resilience, self-regulation and overall well-being.
My own life experiences led me to become a therapist – this is my second career. I previously was a newspaper journalist for about 25 years, and needed to make major changes in my life. Unconditional support from others helped me work through the fear and uncertainty of that process, and I truly enjoy providing similar support to others seeking empowerment in their lives.
I provide individual, couples and family therapy and I see clients ages 14 and up, with a specialty in working with older adults.
I see clients who are dealing with anxiety, depression, grief/mourning, various types of trauma, life transition issues and personality disorders, among others. I enjoy meeting with diverse clients, as well. My background includes working at other private practices and residential/community mental health agencies, where I gained experience with a variety of needs and populations.
Relationships are incredibly important, even in individual therapy. How we function in our lives is impacted by the quality of our relationships, and vice versa. As a client explores and improves how they relate to and care for themselves, they often see their relationships with others become healthier.
