Reconnect to who you are, create meaningful change, & find freedom!

My approach to counseling is eclectic. Rather than adhering to one specific school of thought, I utilize an integrative approach that carefully and thoughtfully selects from several useful models:

• The foundation of my style of therapy is a person-centered, Rogerian approach. What this means is that emphasis is placed on the healing power of the therapeutic relationship as a primary catalyst for change. It is characterized by principles of authenticity, non-judgmental acceptance, and empathy. You, as the client, take a collaborative role in determining your own care. We explore and create goals for therapy together. I have training and expertise that I will bring to our sessions, but you are the expert on you.

• Secondly, I work with many clients who have experienced trauma or some form of adverse life experience. Therefore, my counseling style is trauma-informed. I do my best to build and provide a safe, trusting relationship and environment for my clients. Transparency, collaboration, and empowerment are core components of the therapeutic process. My main priority is always to offer a safe, judgment-free space to be seen and heard for who you authentically are.

• As a cognitive behavioral approach I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is a mindfulness-based behavior therapy that emphasizes accepting what is out of your personal control, and committing to values-based action to improve your life. It’s not just talking about your problems and feelings. Our aim here is to work together as a team, to help you be the sort of person you want to be and build the sort of life you want to live. The goal of ACT is to create a rich and meaningful life, while accepting the pain that inevitably goes along with it. ACT helps reduce the impact and influence that uncomfortable thoughts and feelings have over your life. For more information on ACT see this article.

• I view trauma and relationship from an Attachment-based perspective. Attachment-based therapy is a style of counseling that is based on Attachment Theory, which focuses primarily on the role of early interactions between a child and their adult caregivers. These early relationship experiences tend to inform how we behave and respond in our future relationships, including who we choose in partnership and certain relational patterns that we may tend to repeat. Resolving past traumas and attachment wounds can lead to more fulfilling relationships as adults.

• For individuals seeking therapy for alcohol use, I maintain a harm reduction approach unless YOU choose to be abstinent. I do not view addiction and substance use from a criminal justice perspective but as a public health issue. Generally, our main goal is to reduce PROBLEM substance use unless you decide otherwise. Most times the use of a substance is a symptom of a much bigger problem. Therefore, we will dig deeper into the root cause and function of your alcohol use while also focusing on changing behaviors to reduce harm, learning new coping mechanisms, and prevention planning.

These are not the only orientations of therapy I use, but the most common. I am highly informed by the work and research of Gabor Maté, Brené Brown, Carl Rogers, Victor Frankl, Kristin Neff, Janina Fisher, Deb Dana, Daniel Siegel, Bruce Perry, and many others.