I believe that people are doing the best they can. One of my greatest strengths as a clinician is my openness, warmth and lack of judgment. It is my sincere hope that every individual who comes to my office feels safe and accepted for who they are.
When assessing a problem, I try to understand an individual’s history to consider their behavioral, thinking and emotional patterns in the context of their development. That said, my treatment tends to focus on what is happening in the here and now-- what clients say, do and feel. Often this is related to what they have experienced or learned in the past. With support, people can learn new patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. They can then create the kind of lives and relationships they long for.
I have been strongly influenced by cognitive behavioral theory, interpersonal theory, acceptance and commitment therapy and more recently, mindfulness based methods for dealing with stress, depression and anxiety. The mind and the body are intimately connected, and it is not unusual for people who are distressed to have physical issues as well. When working with clients, I like to find out what they do to cope with stress. I also teach a number of stress reduction methods such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, diaphragmatic breathing and using imagery for relaxation. Clients who have chronic illnesses often benefit from these techniques. Exercise treatment has also been recommended for those who are suffering from anxiety or mild to moderate depression and who are able to engage in this drug free form of treatment.
I encourage clients to search for a therapist they feel comfortable with and not just settle for the first one they meet. It would be my pleasure to work with you if you feel that comfort with me.