Areas of Expertise
The Therapeutic Relationship​​​
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Through a nonjudgmental, empathic, and collaborative approach, I seek to understand you deeply and individualize our work by finding what is most effective for you given your unique history, culture, needs, and circumstances. I strongly believe that, with the support of an impartial and caring therapist, you are capable of making the changes needed to improve your life, as I have seen so in my work time after time.
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I am confident that we can co-create a safe place where exploring your most intimate struggles is possible. The confidentiality of the therapeutic relationship allows for a deeper exploration of your thoughts and feelings. My intention is to nurture the process while you experience catharsis, eliminating toxicity in the forms of shame, secrets and affliction.
Trauma and Relationships
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After years of study and work in both hospital and clinical settings, I have experience helping clients struggling with a variety of distressing symptoms leaving them feeling depressed and anxious. Often, old wounds from past trauma reopen in present day life experiences and relationships, causing relationship conflict, intrusive thoughts, fear, panic, and destructive behaviors including struggles with addiction, self harm, and avoidance. Without judgment, I help my clients sort out what happened then and what is happening now. We’ll talk about how you feel about it and I’ll listen closely and empathically to what you both say and don't say. After that, we can work together to figure out the next steps to set boundaries and express what you need in a way that others can hear. In this process, you will create new and healthy coping skills and begin to shed old, negative patterns of relating to yourself and others, thus giving yourself space to feel more positive feelings and develop intimate, loving relationships.
EMDR Therapy
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I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a more structured approach to processing trauma and other distressing life events, so that people can begin to move past them and live more productive and happy llives, free of overwhelming PTSD symptoms. EMDR is a treatment that has been well researched and found to be effective as it is associated with a reduction in the emotion and vividness of trauma memories. It is also been found to helpful for those struggling with anxiety, depression, phobias, addictions, and a general sense of "stuckness" in various areas of their lives. I have completed my EMDRIA approved EMDR Basic Training through the Parnell Institute which specializes in Attachment. Focused EMDR. In sessions, I use bilateral stimulation through the use of tapping, sound, or eye movements while
simultaneously encouraging my client to focus briefly on the trauma memory within the safety of the therapeutic space.
NY Times Article ‘on EMDR: One Foot in the Present, One Foot in the Past:’ Understanding E.M.D.R.
Art Therapy
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As a licensed creative arts therapist and board certified art therapist since 2007, I have seen the value of artistic expression in improving and maintaining good mental health. If a client is interested, we can use art making in sessions to support their specific personal and relational treatment goals in addition to fostering overall emotional, creative, and spiritual growth. Visual and symbolic expression through the use of various art mediums, such as drawing, sculpture, collage, or painting, helps give voice to one’s lived experiences. Circumventing the limitations of language and offering a valuable new perspective, art therapy has helped my clients explore conflicts or feelings that are causing them distress, better respond to their emotions and thoughts, and find resolution for those issues.
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