About

Stepping into my office…

I realize it can be intimidating to meet a therapist for the first time – you can feel overwhelmed and vulnerable. So, I want you to feel welcomed and comfortable from the very first moment.

I want you to know you can breathe freely and relax.

I will not judge you. You can share anything you want – and I won’t be offended. I like to say that if the couch in my office could talk – boy, would it have stories to tell!

Starting the conversation…

Our first discussion will focus on what brings you to therapy at this point in your life. While it may feel a little more like an interview, it’s an integral part of the intake process; I need to understand where you’re coming from and your whole situation before I can be helpful to you.

The assessment will help both of us focus on your needs and goals. About what’s going well – and what’s not. About what’s concerning you in your life at the moment.

Next, we work together to determine your goals and devise a plan to conquer what’s currently blocking you from achieving them.

Working with me…

If you’re looking to come in, lie down on the couch, and have me say, “So, how do you feel about that?” or nod and “Hmmm” repeatedly, I may disappoint you.

Our sessions will be an interactive process – sometimes it will feel like you are talking to a long-lost best friend. We will both roll up our sleeves to problem-solve practical solutions to complicated situations.

I’ll often use stories and a sense of humor to make a point, but it will be intense at times – tough.

Making actual progress is challenging!

It’s ok to get emotional. It’s ok if you get angry, sad, or overwhelmed.

That means the process is working. I’ll never tell you it’s easy – it’s not supposed to be. Anything worthwhile takes work and effort. Unfortunately, I don’t have a magic wand.

The goal is not to keep you in therapy forever and become co-dependent. I want you to gain the skills to conquer life’s challenges on your own. Everyone is different, and the therapy duration varies. It all depends on you.

Therapy is a collaborative process – it’s a partnership.

My goal is for clients to gain a deeper understanding and fresh perspective on themselves and their relationships, both current and past, and help them find their sense of self.

We will work together to identify, evaluate, and challenge patterns of thinking and behaviors that may make you feel conflicted.

Sometimes we will have to dive deep into painful aspects of the past, to grieve and heal the trauma, so it doesn’t affect you now and take away from your future.

We will progress together, and you will develop new skills that will assist with coping.

Seeking help with a therapist who feels safe and responsive to your needs is the first step to getting your sense of control back in your life.

My vision…

Lighting candles hold an important and unique place in my heart. For me, lighting candles at the beginning of our holidays is an essential ritual in my tradition and heritage.

When you light a candle properly, it can give light to another candle without diminishing itself. And thus, that new candle can grow from a tiny spark to its own blazing fire that can then return light unto another candle, and so on, and so on.

The candle lighting is about more than just creating a physical light – it makes a source of positive energy – and therefore, becomes analogous with the concept of bringing direction and purpose. It’s ultimately a symbol of peace within ourselves and our home.

This is how I think of the therapy process. It’s my job as your therapist to show you how to emerge from your own darkness and empower yourself to allow you, eventually, to spread your light unto the world.

By providing a safe place to feel heard, understood, and noticed, therapy will guide you out of the darkness and into a new, brighter, more joyful version of your life.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Thank you for your interest in my practice. I’m honored you’re here and that you’re taking the time to read about my work. I respect your courage to reach out and your desire to work toward self-improvement.