Working with Me
Let’s be real. Living a life marked by honesty and realness takes the guesswork out of approaching novel situations and relationships. It can alleviate the distress that so often accompanies the questions we ask ourselves.
I know from firsthand experience how fragmented we can feel without reflection and self-discovery. And sometimes, we engage in the same cycles repeatedly that prevent us from living more authentically. I work with individuals to identify these cycles and more importantly, decide if and where to disrupt them to impact positive change.
I understand that speaking to a stranger can be an incredibly vulnerable experience so I hope to become less of a stranger to you. I bring my real self to session, cheesy humor and all, so that you can gain the confidence to pursue your goals. In my work, I encourage curiosity about the self, use humor and metaphor, and believe that authenticity is key. I can help you do the same.
Inviting someone to observe your thoughts and fears alongside you deserves respect.
My Approach
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All emotions are valid.
We tend to question our emotions in efforts to clear up confusion, but I find this actually leads to even more uncertainty. I encourage patients to think of their emotions as valid but stemming from possible irrational thoughts. In changing our thoughts, we can develop more positive feelings.
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Emotions are instinct.
In situations or relationships we’ve never been in before, all we have are our instincts. I think of emotions as our instincts and by nurturing our relationship with them, we will always be equipped to take on whatever is in front of us. Knowing our instincts means knowing ourselves.
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Tough love doesn't work.
In order to push ourselves and achieve our goals, we tend to be hard on ourselves. But we go too far and judge ourselves for our efforts in the process. I help others in understanding how this is actually an obstacle rather than a motivator and encourage self-compassion and acknowledging of strengths.
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It's all connected.
So much of our distress comes from feeling fragmented and not knowing ourselves. I help patients look at the pieces of themselves and discover how they fit together. Even if we may not know the end result, this process can be incredibly exciting and rewarding.
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Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression are both reactions to the same issue: internal unrest. We will understand the source of your unrest, why it manifests as either depression, anxiety, or both, and how to alleviate your symptoms and finally achieve symptom relief.
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Relationships
We tend to approach all relationships in a similar way, and at times, these patterns can be unhelpful in making rewarding connections. We will recognize these patterns and then approach your relationships with more intent and agency.
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Identity
Identity is multifaceted and discovering your own sense of self can be the most rewarding tool as you navigate novel situations. We will work toward finding inner stability within your own values, world views, and core beliefs.
Let’s take that next step, together.
I like to schedule complimentary phone consultations to make sure we are a good fit and answer any questions you may have before starting therapy.