We all want to feel happy, care for and connect with others, and find satisfaction in our work and creative endeavors. It's hard to understand why, despite our best intentions, we find ourselves making poor decisions or even actively harming ourselves. Issues like addictions, post traumatic stress, lack of harmonious relationships, depression, anxiety, and parenting difficulties, are discouraging and confusing when it seems like we are trying our hardest to be healthy people.

I start from the premise that all of our painful and dysfunctional behaviors and thought patterns developed for a reason.They did not arise to torment us.They came into existence to protect us from painful or overwhelming experiences in our past. These experiences range from the obvious, such as major traumas, to the subtle, such as not feeling valued or listened to in our families or cultures of origin.

I often use a therapeutic method called Internal Family Systems which helps people learn to relate to themselves differently. Internal family systems starts with the premise that we all have multiple parts inside of us and sometimes they are in conflict with our intentions to live and happy and meaningful life. 

For example, many people have a self-critical voice in their head or find themselves behaving in ways that do not match their values or make no sense based on their life goals.  Where does this critical voice come from? Why are we in conflict with ourselves? Internal Family Systems answers these questions in intriguing and ultimately life changing ways. The key is learning to tune into something called "the Self" with a capital "S". The Self is nonjudgmental, curious, compassionate, and calm. From this calm place an internal dialogue can be started with the aspects of our personalities we find troubling.

I am also trained as an Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing practitioner. EMDR is a well-researched trauma reduction technique that is very effective in taking the charge out of memories that are distressing or disturbing.

I have been working as a psychotherapist for the last twenty-five year and I continue to learn both inside and outside the classroom. Because of my extensive experience I do not have a one size fits all model and I am open to feedback if something in our sessions is not working for you. My goal is to collaborate with my clients. I am passionate about the healing process and believe it is everyone’s birthright to have a fulfilling life!