Finding a therapist can feel overwhelming. Not only are there many different types of psychotherapy based on different theories, but often therapists aren’t great at explaining what it is they do or how talk therapy works.
Individuals are unique and complex. My focus is on creating a strong and supportive relationship where the deeply personal, unsayable things can be spoken, heard and accepted without judgment.
Psychiatrist/therapist and writer Irvin Yalom has spoken of “creating a new therapy for each patient” meaning that it is important not to have preconceived notions or make assumptions about what it is that each person needs. Another way of saying this is that rather than fitting the patient to the type of therapy (CBT, Psychoanalytic, DBT, ACT) the therapist needs to understand and adapt to the patient.
We live in a time of information overload with very little real attention devoted to our inner lives. Despite the ubiquity of the “wellness” industry and an abundance of psychological terms such as “processing” “self-care” “boundaries” and “trauma,” that have made their way into mainstream articles, podcasts and social media posts, it seems that many of us are more stressed than ever.
While knowing and understanding terminology can be helpful, if we stop there without a deeper exploration of the personal, emotional underpinnings associated with these terms, we will likely remain stuck and unsatisfied.
I use a psychodynamic, existential, approach that is creative, flexible and goes beyond the jargon to help guide my patients away from looping thoughts, internal conflicts, negative self-talk and tangled emotions towards greater self-compassion and clarity so that they can move forward and express themselves authentically.
I have experience working with a diverse group of clients from various backgrounds and sexual orientations and am comfortable working with many issues including, but not limited to generalized anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, relationship distress, lack of self-esteem and strong inner critical voice, suicidal ideation, OCD, gender dysphoria, anger, adjustment and phase of life transitions.
I also enjoy helping clients work through creative blocks. Previously I worked on numerous feature film and television productions and can offer a unique perspective on navigating the difficult terrain of the entertainment industry.