My psychotherapy practice

During the first few sessions you will find a safe place where you are encouraged to explore fully your goals for therapy and what is troubling you. You will find me to be warm, curious, non-judgmental, and focused on understanding you as an individual. And as we understand a bit more about your struggles, I will offer feedback and will sometimes challenge you in an understanding and non-judgmental way to help you to reach your goals.

No one technical approach works for everyone. I tailor my work with you based on the issues you’re wrestling with. Some issues, such as career dissatisfaction or academic stress, may be addressed using a solution-focused approach in which we focus on present dilemmas and work for a short period of time towards solutions. Other issues, such as relationships with families and partners or depression and anxiety, may more effectively be addressed using a combination of solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches. In this way we still focus on developing solutions, but may need a longer period of time to acquire a deeper understanding of your past and patterns in order to do so. You can learn more about these techniques from my resources page.

You will find support in our sessions that you may not be finding in your outside life. The work we do together can be specifically directed to improve your ability to:

• Develop and sustain happier and more loving relationships
• Transform depression and low self-esteem
• Decrease stress and anxiety
• Increase self-awareness and understanding
• Effectively handle conflicts and anger
• Approach life transitions and changes with increased awareness and confidence
• Recognize and control self-destructive behaviors
• Accept and appreciate your body and its strengths
• Overcome guilt and shame regarding sexuality
• Cope with traumatic memories and fears
• Grieve and work through past and present losses
• Develop fulfilling and effective parent/child relationships

Clinical Social Workers do not prescribe medication in the state of California. However, if over the course of therapy it is assessed that medication might be beneficial, I can help you to find an appropriate psychiatrist. If you are currently taking medications, we can discuss this during the initial appointment.