Areas of Expertise
Anxiety and perfectionism
Anxiety can occur for a variety of reasons and in a variety of contexts. Sometimes it stems from past trauma or major life changes or stressors. Anxiety can underlie perfectionism, overachieving to the point of stress, the need for control, eating problems, and/or OCD-like behaviors. It can also negatively affect our relationships, job performance, and overall happiness. In addition to teaching relaxation strategies and other ways to cope with anxiety more effectively, I really enjoy helping clients dig deep to explore the heart of the matter - in other words, what their anxiety might stem from, so that we can work through that in order to address the anxiety even more effectively.
Depression and overfunctioning
Are you feeling depressed and can't figure out why? You might have a successful job, wonderful family, but just aren't happy. Anxiety, depression, and overfunctioning often go hand in hand. In other words, you may be the one who does it all and/or struggle with perfectionism or overachieving to the point of stress, exhaustion, or depression. You may feel burnt out, unhappy, unmotivated, or not able to enjoy things as you normally would. To address this, I help overfunctioners live a more balanced life. You will learn to set boundaries (including when to say 'no'), ask for help, use self-care, build confidence, and overcome self-criticism.
Group Therapy and Therapy for Teens
I find group therapy to be an incredibly powerful experience. It can be especially helpful in addressing social anxiety or relationship concerns, depression, trauma, and more. Often our pain and past wounds have occurred within some type of relationship, and group therapy helps us work through this pain by trying out new ways of interacting with others in-the-moment within a safe and supportive setting. For example, group can help you better understand your relationships, practice being more assertive, stop avoiding conflict, learn to express your emotions more effectively, understand and break out of old patterns that no longer serve you, and become more confident. During the coronavirus pandemic, my groups are continuing via video. Group via video is much less awkward and much more rewarding and helpful than you'd imagine!
I also support teens as they deal with the pressure to achieve and navigate the transition to college, work to explore their identity, and become more independent.
My Approach
Therapy isn't easy. To try to help ease the discomfort of vulnerability, I strive to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. I also value authenticity, connection, and trust within the therapeutic relationship and believe it can be a source of healing from past relational pain.
My therapeutic approach is unstructured and integrative; I prefer this because it allows me to be flexible and shape the therapy process to fit your needs. You are unique, so I believe your therapy should be too.
More specifically, my work is particularly shaped by trauma and attachment theories, along with interpersonal and psychodynamic theories, with a little bit of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) thrown in there as well.
Overall, I tend to “trust the process” and follow your lead. Through our work, I will help you regain a sense of safety, stability, and growth and learn to see the strength and bravery in vulnerability, authenticity, and imperfection!
