PHILOSOPHY & APPROACH
There are many ways to think about why we struggle with mental health challenges and how change occurs. Our work together will always be adapted to what you're looking for, and below are a few notes about some of the therapy styles we can pull from.
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APPROACH
APPROACH TO THERAPY
– This brief video elaborates about how we might be able to collaborate on your mental health journey.
PHILOSOPHY
CLIENT CENTERED
– Our work will always focus on your goals, with the assumption that you are the expert of your life. I hope to be supportive however I can, while always encouraging you to trust yourself.
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Because many psychological challenges can involve feeling disconnected from ourselves, our emotions, and our intuition, truly listening to the stuff deep down inside often helps us find what we’re looking for. The techniques we can try and conversations we may have will focus on empowering you to listen to this inner knowing to facilitate self-discovery.
COMPASSION-FOCUSED & STRENGTHS-BASED
– As we're establishing what's going on in your life and which areas you're wanting to change, I'm always listening for the most compassionate interpretation of events. Highlighting personal strengths and opportunities, rather than exclusively dwelling on what may feel wrong or broken, is also something that may help to promote positive change.
RELATIONAL
– Even though our relationship will maintain professional boundaries, it's important to build a foundation of trust, empathy, and comradery. Our work will remain focused on your goals, while also exploring how we connect as fellow humans. If there's an opportunity for a joke here or there, keeping the mood light also makes therapy more inviting!
FOCUSED & INTENSIVE
– Concentrating our work together allows us to stay on track with your goals and make efficient and noticeable progress. This approach is also meant to empower you to uncover resources you may already have within yourself.
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The timeline of therapy sessions is always up to you, and our work can supplement any work you are doing with an additional or long-term therapist! ​
TECHNIQUES & TOPICS
EXPERIENTIAL & EMOTIONAL PROCESSING
– Our minds and emotions can be complex, and processing the stuff inside often has a way of leaving us feeling a little lighter. Sometimes a constructive conversation is all that's needed, and other times deeper techniques may help to access some of the things we may not be able to address with words alone.
EVALUATING NEGATIVE BELIEFS
– Negative beliefs we might have about ourselves, others, and the world can have a disruptive impact. For example, "I'm not enough," "I'm a failure," "sharing myself with others isn't safe," or "the world is a hostile and meaningless place."
EMDR, Schema Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are a few approaches that focus on identifying and shifting these beliefs towards something more constructive. We can integrate any or all of these into our work if this resonates.
COPING SKILLS & MINDFULNESS
– Sometimes we just don't feel good, and having tools to cope when things get tough can be a game-changer. Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness practices, and other creative coping skills can be simple yet underrated ways of navigating the storms of our hearts and minds.
VALUES & PURPOSE
– Finding meaning within the challenges of existence, and evaluating what you want in life can offer valuable shifts in perspective. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Existential Psychotherapy are all useful approaches that may offer clarity and focus.
EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOTHERAPY
– Making sense of Life's Big Questions can be challenging. If you've been wrestling with matters of life, death, meaning, the universe, spirituality, or religion, I would love to discuss these issues together! Rather than impose any beliefs, simply exploring these topics out loud may reduce the isolation of dealing with these questions alone. ​
ALTERNATIVE & EMERGING THERAPIES
– Traditional approaches within our mental health system don't help everyone. For this reason, I've developed a passion for learning about alternative and emerging therapies. This includes Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (Article), Neurofeedback, Internal Family Systems, and many others.
While I do not provide these services directly, I'm always happy to share what I do and do not know about these approaches, or provide psychological support as you pursue alternative options independently.
