The Approach
My approach works best for people who are curious about themselves — not just looking for relief from symptoms, but genuinely interested in understanding the patterns underneath them. If you're ready to slow down and look inward, even when that feels uncomfortable, we're probably a good fit.
The tangible skills
Many folks reach out to me with a similar request: I want to build skills so that I can have better ways to manage my symptoms in the future. One of my goals as a therapist is for my clients to feel empowered to do exactly this. Life presents us with many challenges, and the suffering created by these challenges can often feel difficult to sit with. Many people deal with this discomfort by switching "off". How many times have you found yourself scrolling through your phone or half-watching a YouTube video (maybe both at the same time) after a long day at work or school?
I work within the assumption that discomfort and suffering are facts of life. To address this directly, you will learn skills that will help you step back when you're experiencing a difficult emotion, make room for those hard feelings instead of avoiding them or pushing them away, and make a values-based decision on what to do next. Perhaps you put down the phone, make space for your stress or anxiety, and spend some time cuddling with your cat instead of doomscrolling.
What lies beneath
Skills and tools are one way to address our problems, but they often only scratch the surface. The reassurance of knowing "what to do" can wear off after some time. This is where a little psychological archeology comes in.
Much of our time together will involve looking at the "why" or "how" of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by talking about them. No, talking will not solve your problems, but it's my hope that it will help you better understand yourself. In sessions, you set the direction. I'll be listening carefully to what you say and what you don't, and asking questions that invite you to dig deeper. We'll notice what emotions show up and when, patterns in your relationships, and yes, how so much of it connects back to your mother. This approach focuses less on solutions and more on feelings: places those skills and tools often cannot reach.
We’re in this together
None of this happens in a vacuum. Therapy is collaborative work, and the relationship between us matters as much as anything else we do together. What that means in practice: when you walk into a session, you don't have to perform. You don't have to have it together, know the right thing to say, or be further along than you are. You just have to show up. You will be met with curiosity, acceptance, and a genuine interest in understanding your experience from your unique perspective. Being truly heard, without agenda or judgment, is rarer than it should be. For a lot of people, it turns out to be exactly what was missing.
What does the work look like?
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1. Free Fit Check
We start with a free, 15 minute consultation phone call to see if we'd be a good fit. I'll have some questions for you (like why you reached out and what you're looking for) and do a quick screening about mental health history. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions you have about me or the work that I do.
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2. The Beginning
Your first session will be an intake where I'll ask lots of questions to get to know you a little bit better and to better understand what you need from me. Our first four or so sessions, including the intake appointment, are a further fit check. You might find you don't vibe with me, or something may come up that I think another therapist might have more expertise with. This is all a normal part of the process!
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3. The Middle
Later on as you get more comfortable, we will be able to get into deeper work and identify specific areas where we can build skills to address your concerns realistically. This isn't quite problem-solving mode, more like problem understanding mode. The better you are able to understand yourself with someone who sees you, the better you are able to help yourself and grow into the person you know you've always been.
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4. Fond Farewells
All things come to an end, and eventually you may start to feel better and either decrease how often you come to therapy or stop entirely. If this is the case, the door is always open for you to return should you need it. I'm always sad to see clients go, but more thrilled that they're feeling better and more capable of tackling life on their own.
Let’s Break the Ice
If you think we might be a good fit and you’re ready to start the work, let’s get in touch.