In a life led by courage, it is possible to grow and thrive instead of simply survive.
I use a personable, empathetic, active and engaging approach in therapy to help you make the positive changes you are seeking for your life, your relationship, or in your recovery from trauma or an eating disorder. My clients have described me as easy to talk to, safe, and like an "emotional detective".
I believe that the foundation for change in therapy comes from a felt sense of safety for clients in their work with a therapist, and I work to create a safe and collaborative environment in therapy through the energy and approach in which I work with clients.
I honor the vulnerability that this work requires of the people who come to see me, and I believe that it is through accessing vulnerability and feeling more able to understand and oraganize ones' inner world, that change can happen. I work to safely hold that vulnerability with you so that you can explore your inner world and relationships with support from me. Learning to "grow curiosity" within yourself for the "hard parts" within yourself that can be hard to look at is an initial part of this work. As you start to better understand yourself, your feelings, and your needs in life and in relationships, you can start to shift how you experience the world, yourself in it, and your relationships. Whether you are coming to see me as an individual or as a couple, much of this work is about supporting people in learning to navigate their inner worlds so that they can be more responsive to their emotions vs. "reactive".
I draw from various therapeutic approaches including:
-Internal Family Systems (IFS)
-Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
-Values Based Approaches (ACT)
-Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
-Trauma-Informed (EMDR)
I also strongly value ongoing learning in the field, with a continuing dedication to professional development through regular training and professional growth opportunites. I am an AAMFT Approved Clinical Supervisor which allows me to supervise newer clinicians in the field who are working to obtain their licensure so that they to make practice independently and without supervision. Being an AAMFT Approved Supervisor allows me to support the professional growth of other clinicians in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.
In my free time you will find me enjoying nature-swimming, hiking or surfing, spending time with friends and family, or working on some new creative endeavor that has caught my attention.
My hope for you is to experience more peace of mind in your day to day life and feel happier and more connected in your relationships and more centered within youself. It is possible to change not only the way in which you experience yourself and the world around you but also in relationship to others.