In my practice, I am fascinated by the interplay between language and becoming. Are we just the stories we tell ourselves, or is there something more? I consider it an honor to sit with a client as we explore together the unknown of who they will become, breaking through versions of themselves that, for whatever reason, aren’t working for them, into a greater acceptance of what has been and a renewed curiosity of what can be.
Individuals
I work from a trauma-informed lens that frames my clients as blocked, not broken. I see my clients as collaborators in the art of healing. I tend to focus on the emotional roots of my client’s issues to find the path to their authentic selves that they feel is most direct. If there are traumatic events that they feel are ready to be processed I often use EMDR therapy to directly target the limiting beliefs and feelings that keep us stuck. This is a kind of therapy that was developed specifically for trauma processing and a quick google search can offer you a wealth of information on it.
Oftentimes, though, there are no specific memories that need attention. In those cases, I find a more exploratory approach is helpful. Investigating issues such as our needs, our values, and how we relate to others in a non-judgemental space can help us break patterns that keep us in pain, bringing us a more liveable life. I feel my warmth and humor help to create a trusting, supportive space for us to feel safe going into challenging feelings and learning to digest them at each person’s own pace. I have experience working with clients dealing with the challenges of PTSD, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, disordered eating, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, LGBTQIA+ issues, race-based traumatic stress, gender minority stress, intergenerational trauma, blocks in creativity/inspiration, relationship/career difficulties, and depression/anxiety.
Couples and Families
I take particular joy in working with couples and families. Although the intensity of the material can sometimes be a lot to handle, I find that the passion they bring to the therapy often delivers direct insights and change that would take much longer to arrive at in an individual setting. I always make it clear to my client’s that we are not here to “fix” the relationship but to understand our destructive patterns; why we do what we do even though we think we know better.
Whether I’m working with a traditional marriage or an ethically non-monogamous partnership; a father and son relationship or relationships between chosen family members, I find that at the heart of these destructive patterns, there is a great deal of caring but an inability to communicate it. Beliefs and feelings that we have about ourselves keep us emotionally holding back and pushing away those we care most about. If we can focus on learning to better validate each other’s feelings, we can then build the trust necessary to be the support in our loved one’s growth that can offer them the strength to love us back in the way that we all really want and deserve.
Children and Teens
As a middle child of seven, I bring a wealth of in vivo experience to my work with children. I spent much of my youth caring for my younger siblings, nieces, and nephews, babysitting neighborhood children, and giving music lessons to young kids. I bring an intuitive sense of patience and compassion to child therapy that I developed through years of providing support for kids with behavioral issues, emotionally holding those tough spaces where they can’t find the words for their feelings or their needs.
About me
I have an MA in clinical psychology from Antioch University, where my coursework reflected my fascination with depth psychology, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, narrative therapy, trauma-informed therapy, and behavioral therapy. I trained at Valley Community Counseling Clinic, focusing on the rich tradition of object relations, attachment theory, and Winnicotian child development. I received my BA in writing and literature from Naropa University, at the Jack Kerouac School of disembodied poetics with a minor in religious studies, focusing on Buddhist practice and philosophy. In my off-time, I enjoy hiking, writing, gardening, and playing in several bands and recording projects.
Fees
I charge 175 dollars for a 50-minute session of individual, child/teen, or couples/family therapy. I also offer 80-minute sessions for 280 dollars, which can be especially helpful for couples/family sessions as well as for EMDR sessions or anyone looking for a more in-depth way of working. I offer a sliding-scale rate for clients who can’t afford my full fee, so please reach out. Depending on the circumstances, we can likely find a fee that is comfortable for you.