Welcome
Welcome! If you have landed on my page, I imagine you may be searching for answers and support, perhaps for yourself or for a loved one. I am so glad that you are considering reaching out. I hope I can provide some information to help you decide if we might be a good fit for each other.
I am a Clinical Psychologist, which means I dedicated many years of my life to learning how to help individuals struggling with psychological concerns. These concerns may be related to clinical diagnoses, or they may be attributable to significant life stressors or transitions. However, my strength and expertise lie in what is called a transdiagnostic approach. Plainly, I am interested in helping you understand the common processes that underlie your concerns and symptoms, as well as how these processes came to be. Often, the origins can be traced to a combination of biology (for instance, genetics) and important life experiences. More importantly, almost any “symptom” is associated with an ingenious attempt at a solution to a problem.) For instance, difficulty trusting others makes sense if you have a history of being let down; keeping others at arm’s length may keep you safe from similar disappointment in the future). You are seeking help now because that solution is no longer working, or it is leading to other significant problems. Once we understand this process, we can work together to identify new ways of coping.
I have a warm, sincere style of interacting and tend to be fairly laid back. I am a good listener, skilled at drawing connections and shedding light on patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior. I strive to help clients understand their histories and how they came to be where they are; to clarify values and goals for the future; to improve their capacities for coping; and to make the changes necessary to lead fulfilling and gratifying lives. I am appreciative of and sensitive to client input and feedback, as I view my therapeutic approach as highly collaborative (and not hierarchical).
Assessment
I provide psychological evaluations with the purpose of identifying an individual’s areas of strengths and weaknesses in order to provide recommendations for therapy, psychiatric medication, work or school, interpersonal relationships, and daily living.
Therapy for Adults
I work with adults who present with a wide variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, trauma and PTSD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Autism, ADHD, gender dysphoria, and difficulty with life transitions
Therapy for Teenagers
I have an ability to form strong therapeutic bonds with adolescents that foster growth. I am able to spark their curiosity and collaborate with them on developing their own motivations and goals for treatment.
Telehealth
Telehealth is conducted over a secure, HIPPA-approved video platform. It is convenient and, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also the safest way to conduct therapy.
How I Work with Clients
Working with me is a collaborative process. You are the expert on your own life and experiences. I am able to bring expertise and knowledge about psychology from my training and clinical experiences.
Here are a few examples of how I have worked with clients to improve their quality of life:
I worked with a young woman to explore issues related to social connectedness, depressed mood, and managing daily tasks. Together, we discovered that she was, in fact, Autistic, undiagnosed until later in life, as is often the case in highly verbal and socially motivated individuals. We explored the impact of growing up without an understanding oI worked with a young adult to explore issues related to social connectedness, depressed mood, and managing daily tasks. Together, we discovered that she was Autistic, undiagnosed until later in life, as is often the case in highly verbal and socially motivated individuals. We explored the impact of growing up without an understanding of her neurotype. She was able to shift her perspective such that she no longer blamed herself for her emotional, academic, and occupational struggles that were associated with living as an Autistic person in a world that is not understanding or accommodating of her needs. With a greater sense of self-efficacy, she chose a new career path and forged strong bonds with new friends from diverse backgrounds.
I helped a middle-aged man manage distressing thoughts over which he felt he had no control. We learned that he I helped a middle-aged man manage distressing thoughts over which he felt he had no control. We learned that he responded to these thoughts by compulsively ruminating, as he believed if he could “figure them out,” he would obtain relief. Unfortunately, this approach just directed more attention to the thoughts and was therefore counterproductive. Through exposure and response prevention (ERP), he learned how to manage these thoughts without spiraling into a state of intense distress. They still enter his awareness from time to time, but he is confident in his ability to manage them. His life is fuller, and he no longer avoids social situations that used to trigger his obsessive thinking.
I worked with a teenager to process an early childhood trauma, which was manifesting in the present day as difficulty forging intimate relationships. We explored her relationships with her parents and siblings and discovered the ways she learned to protect herself from being hurt; her greatest defense as a child had been isolation. Through therapy, she was able to learn and apply techniques to center herself and decrease anxiety when she felt overwhelmed. She slowly learned to trust her own ability to assess for danger and to identify potential warning signs in others. She is now able to find joy in connecting, and she is working as a mentor for traumatized children.
I helped a transgender young woman navigate the complexities of coming out to her parents, socially transitioning, I worked with a transgender woman on navigating the complexities of coming out to her parents, socially transitioning, and obtaining gender-affirming medical care. In our work together, she was able to explore the multiple intersecting aspects of her identity. She became more confident and outgoing and made a network of supportive friends. She also allowed herself to explore her talents and interests. She reflected that the most important outcome of our therapy was learning to accept herself as a whole person.