The work I do is multifaceted in nature. I begin sessions with a discussion aimed at understanding who the client is and what is bringing them into therapy, whether it is about healing, empowerment, personal growth, or something else. Then I work with the client to develop a plan of action, outlining their goals, their hopes for what they want to get out of therapy as they move through the process, and where they would like to be by the end of the process.

Once we agree on these important benchmarks, the next steps begin. I identify the strengths that you bring to the table. These are so important because we all bring unique skills and talents into any dynamic, and it’s important that  you know how to use these to  accomplish your goals. Keeping those in mind, I work with my clients to address the issues as they have come up in the past, and importantly, how they manifest in the here-in-now.

This allows us to map out together, how the past informs the present, and how to approach alleviating distress. I do this by helping you become more resilient in the face of future challenges, and achieve a new sense of freedom and control over your  life and well-being.

If a client is new to therapy, I find it most important to ask about their expectations. What do you think therapy will be like? What do you hope it will be like? And further, what concerns do you have about the process?

If someone is feeling on the fence about going, I might ask what makes you apprehensive? or even scared about therapy? Oftentimes I’ve found that misconceptions about what therapy is like, or perceptions of stigma for being in therapy can be powerful drivers of apprehension.

I work with clients around these preconceptions to allay any fears or concerns you might have through an honest, open, and transparent discussion about what therapy is, and what it isn’t.

Engaging in therapy is a personal choice. Odds are, if you are thinking about seeing a therapist, there is a reason why. I subscribe to the perspective that, while therapy is highly efficacious for those who desire healing, it is also quite helpful for those feeling stuck, seeking growth, or desiring a new beginning. I would say, if it feels right to seek therapy, I would not dissuade someone from doing so.

That being said, if a client expresses that they no longer feel they need therapy, I would happily celebrate a graduation from therapy. As someone trained in both long-term, and Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy, I believe that both can be highly beneficial. Therapy doesn’t have to be a life-long process! The length of therapy is always a personal decision to make  collaboratively with one’s therapist.

Diversity is part of the tapestry that makes every one of us unique. Our cultures, religions, races, ethnicities, gender and sexual identities are all parts of what make us beautifully individual. They shape so many aspects of who we are and affect the ways we view and experience our world.

Given this, I like to approach diversity and differences head-on, addressing our identities as points of strength, asking about how a client’s background shapes who they are. If differences are present that seem relevant to the work, I ask clients directly about any thoughts or feelings they might have one way or the other regarding the presence of those differences.

I hold two pieces of data as being true when it comes to therapy: 1) We are often our own best barometers for change, and 2) Sometimes it can be difficult to identify the ways we might be benefiting from the therapeutic process.

This is especially true when change is slow, we have high expectations of ourselves, or we expect to feel 100% in our first few sessions. This is why I check in with clients in each session to see how they are feeling, address any times they are feeling stuck, explore why that might be the case, and create a concrete plan to unlock forward momentum.

At times my client’s and I find it helpful to use assessment metrics to chart how they feel from session to session. This allows us to visually graph improvement so we can concretely see where change is taking place, and identify areas that remain for us to target. My most important goal is that you concretely experience progress toward emotional wellness and your  therapeutic goals.

The purpose of therapy really depends on what the client is seeking – it is an extremely individual process. That being said, there are some common threads that tend to generalize from person to person:

Therapy is about healing. Even if you feel that you’re coming to therapy to learn something new about yourself, or unlock your potential, if your potential is locked up, there is often a reason. Our mind’s process pain based in part on what we unconsciously believe we can endure. Sometimes in an effort to defend against difficult emotions, we end up stuck, or repeat patterns again and again with an unconscious drive to resolve old wounds. Therapy can help you to do just that – allow you  to live a freer, fuller life.

Therapy is about growth. Unlocking our potentials and capitalizing off of our strengths is a huge component of the therapeutic process. Therapy can help you  integrate the parts of yourself that you may  not be as in touch with, to actualize all that you can be. In essence, therapeutic growth is the art of the possible.

Therapy is about connection.  When therapy begins, a lot of clients are hesitant   to discuss sensitive and personal issues with a therapist who starts out as a total stranger. This is especially the case if someone has never been in therapy before. This is totally normal! The therapeutic process is inherently built on a mutual relationship of trust and respect.  naturally requires a “getting to know you” phase.

A genuine relationship between myself and my clients is  key. To me, a main requirement for therapy to work is that a relationship of trust and collaboration must be fostered. I do everything in my power to work with my clients to foster a relationship that is genuine, real, and goal-directed.