Systemic

Relationships both hurt us and heal us – they impact our identity and self-esteem, our emotional and behavioral patterns, and much more.  Rather than seeing a person solely through an individual lens, I approach clients as influenced and formed by their relationships, past and present, as well as larger systems and frameworks such as culture, race, religion, gender, etc.    

It is in and through relationships with others that we have the opportunity to change.  With a strong connection, commitment, and the willingness to be brave, our therapeutic relationship can be a profound vehicle of transformation.

Justice-Oriented

Our identity is an intersection of many factors, including gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual-orientation, social class, education level, and more. These factors impact our experience of power, privilege and oppression in our society and can be related the problems we are bringing to therapy.  Oppressive systems in our families, workplaces, and everyday life do very much impact us and our mental health. I am interested in helping my clients become more aware of their context and its influence.  I am committed to pursuing freedom and healing, and to upholding the dignity and worth of each and every person. Together we might deconstruct and resist stories that oppress, and re-author more authentic, resilient, and empowering stories.

Experiential/ Body-Centered

In our work together, I will focus on the here-and-now, on process over content. This means I will draw attention to what is happening between us or between you and your partner/family member in the present moment; I will help you explore the patterns, the reactions, the movements of your body and the emotions that come up as we talk. I will gently invite you to pause, to stay with a feeling, to pay attention to a sensation in your body, to inquire within your self and explore what comes up. Through being deeply present to yourself, you will be able to understand, free, and heal parts of you that feel stuck. In and through the therapy relationship, you are invited to break old patterns, and to create new, more life-giving experiences with yourself and with your loved ones.

Spiritually-Integrated

I view the human person as a dynamic and evolving whole, and honor all parts of a person’s being. I recognize that spirituality and religion can be a source of wounding as well as a source of deep healing. I bring an openness and attunement to spirituality to my sessions - to the ways that you connect, feel grounded, and make meaning. I will honor however you might want to bring your spirit or faith into our work together, and offer support to clients who want to connect with spiritual resources for healing.