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THERAPY
INDIVIDUAL - COUPLES - FAMILY
I have noticed that most of the people who come to see me are stuck in patterns where they find themselves repeatedly experiencing an unwanted emotional reaction/symptom, a particular interpersonal dynamic, or doing a behavior they wish they could stop. Generally, by the time a person comes to therapy, “simple” solutions have already been tried and have not worked. Thus, I begin therapy by taking time to fully understand you and the situation; oftentimes, this process is not only evaluative, but helpful as you may realize something new about yourself or come to see yourself and the situation with increased compassion and curiosity. Once we have developed a shared understanding of what you are struggling with and why, we will discuss how therapy can help create change (and if therapy is not best suited to address the issues, I will help you find alternative solutions). This process looks different for every person, and I strive to continually check that therapeutic interventions are helpful, and that we adapt our therapy to what will work best for you. Thus, part of our therapy will include discussing how therapy is feeling, whether it appears to be helping, and any ways that we can improve the therapy.​
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Generally, I tend to be direct and open as a therapist. I believe that for therapy to be effective, it needs to be lively and collaborative. Thus, in therapy, I want to make sure that we are doing something together. Therapy should never cause you additional pain; however, it can often "stir up" pain that you already carry, especially if we're focusing on the things that matter most. You may not leave every session feeling better; however, my goal is that by the end of our work together you feel lighter, happier, and more able to be your full self. Thus, I often think of therapy as similar to working out at the gym: both can initially lead to feeling sore and tired, but overtime you should feeling stronger, enlivened, and empowered.
​I do not believe any single psychological theory or therapeutic approach holds all the answers. I have have a deep appreciate for many theories, and have found that changing perspective from one theory to another can often help "unstick" things. As a therapist, I am trained and utilize psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral approaches. These include Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Exposure Therapy (ERP), Family Systems, Attachment Theory, and Self Psychology. The extent to which any of the these theories and methods will be used depends entirely on the specific case. However, in general, I tend to use more dynamic and relational approaches to therapy, and then integrate behavioral interventions when indicated. ​
​​My areas of specialty include anxiety, OCD, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, intimacy concerns, and conflict within families. However, these are far from the only mental illnesses I have experience treating.
If you are interested in knowing more about my experience in any particular area or diagnosis, please contact me.
A NOTE ABOUT COUPLES THERAPY
Difficultly with trust and conflict resolution often drives couples to therapy. This can include challenges creating intimacy in the relationship, regular arguments which leave people feeling under-loved or unappreciated, and infidelity. With couples, I find it especially important to first clarify partners’ differing views on what is causing problems in the relationship. Oftentimes, these problems make themselves visible during therapy, which provides an opportunity for all of us to explore what is happening for each person, the intent of each partner, and misinterpretations that are occurring. While providing education on issues like communication and healthy relationships can sometimes be helpful, I generally find that the most effective therapies are ones which get "messy" during the therapeutic space. The more you can "show me" what goes askew, the more likely I'll be able to help.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND LOGISTICS
HOW LONG DOES THERAPY TAKE?
Therapy can take various amounts of time depending on the severity and complexity of the issues, as well as how long standing or deep-seated they are. While I can try to provide an estimate of how long therapy may take, this is often difficult to determine from the outset of treatment.
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That being said, I do not believe that therapy should last forever! It is common to do therapy for awhile, resolve the issues that initially brought you to therapy, and then, perhaps years later, begin a new chapter of therapy when new concerns arise.
In-Person vs. Telehealth
I currently offer both in-person and telehealth therapy in Massachusetts, and only telehealth therapy to clients located in Colorado.
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There are pros and cons to both in-person and telehealth options. Both have been demonstrated to be beneficial, but many people find that one modality works better for them. Teletherapy offers the convenience of not having to commute, and the ability to do therapy in a place that is accessible and comfortable for you. However, time spent commuting can also be valuable as many people find that it provides structured time to self-reflect before and after sessions. Interpersonal connection is often more intense while in person; for some people this is very useful, but some people who tend to be overwhelmed socially it can be useful to have a bit more distance, at least to start.
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Many people do not have the option to come to in-person therapy. In that case, telehealth provides a convenient alternative. If you are able to come in person, then we can explore which modality will be best for you. People who can come in-person may also elect to do a hybrid of some in-person sessions and some telehealth to maximize the benefits of both.