In sessions, I am curious, compassionate, enthusiastic, and humorous, appreciating a little laughter in therapy. I’m more likely to follow what is alive for you in the moment than come in with a particular plan for our time. That’s because I believe all roads lead to the same place, and we’ll get to where we need to go. I see my role as a facilitator, your role as being the expert on you, and our job to work together as collaborators.

Here are a few of the themes that inform my approach:

Awareness –The more you slow down and increase awareness of your experience—emotions, sensations, thoughts, behaviors—the more choices you have available to you. I try to avoid saying “mindfulness,” or the “M” word because it’s overused and vague. But that’s another word for what I’m talking about. Non-judgmental awareness and mindfulness are great tools for reducing stress and anxiety.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) - parts-work - All of us have parts. You may notice this when you say, “A part of me wants to do this…. And another part of me wants to do this…” Sometimes parts get into conflicts with each other, sometimes they make alliances. By understanding your internal system better—the desires, fears, and purpose of your different parts—you will bring about better balance and opportunities for healing.

Somatic/Body-Centered – I’m the first to admit I’ll do anything to avoid paying attention to my body. But over many years of trying to convince, rationalize, or think myself into change, I finally began to realize that bodies run the show. The body is home to the nervous system (fight/flight/freeze response) and it’s also where trauma remains long after the events of the past are over. If you’re newer to this approach, no problem. We’ll move slowly.

Social Justice / Systems Lens - We live in an unjust world, organized by systems that privilege certain identities and marginalize others based on race, class, gender, sexuality, (dis)ability, ethnicity, immigration status, and more. While therapy has historically been an individual endeavor, we will look at these systems and their impacts, including the ways they have been internalized.

Relational - How satisfying are your relationships—family, friendships, work, intimate? How do you manage isolation and connection? How are you with boundaries? What about conflict or difficult conversations? By looking at the ways you show up with others in your life, as well as in the therapeutic relationship, we will identify patterns that can be understood and shifted.