An Individualized Approach

Counseling couples involves helping partners navigate the complexities of your relationship by addressing issues such as communication breakdowns, conflicts, trust concerns, and emotional intimacy. I aim to provide a neutral and safe environment where partners can express their feelings and perspectives openly and without judgment.  ​ I will facilitate constructive dialogue and teach skills such as active listening and empathetic communication to improve understanding and connection. By identifying and addressing underlying issues, my hope is to help you develop healthier interaction patterns, enhance emotional bonds, and rebuild trust. ​ Additionally, counseling can offer strategies for managing external stressors and life changes that impact the relationship. Through this process, couples gain insights and tools to resolve conflicts and strengthen the partnership, fostering a more harmonious and fulfilling relationship. ​ My approach to couples therapy is through the lens of the Developmental Model of couples counseling. This framework focuses on understanding and supporting the natural stages of growth and change within a relationship. Relationships, like individuals, evolve through stages, each with its own challenges and opportunities for development. ​ My goal is to help you understand your challenges, normalize your experience, and develop the skills necessary to move forward constructively. I will provide guidance tailored to your specific needs and help you grow both individually and as a partnership.

This type of work is about understanding self. My approach involves exploring and understanding your inner world, including your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and unconscious motivations. This introspective process aims to uncover the root causes of your distress or behavioral patterns, often rooted in past experiences or unresolved conflicts. By delving into these internal processes, I hope to help you gain greater self-awareness, identify coping habits that no longer serve you, and develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving. This work facilitates personal growth by helping you recognize and integrate different aspects of yourself, leading to a more coherent and resilient sense of self. This work takes bold honesty and bravery which will ultimately empower you to make meaningful changes in your life by addressing the internal factors that influence your external behaviors and relationships.

Being part of the Queer community presents unique challenges and experiences. I have a deep understanding of this and seek to address any issues you may have related to identity, discrimination, mental health, and social acceptance. If you identify as part of this community, counseling is not limited to these specific issues. I am also here for other needs you may have and greatly value bringing cultural competence, empathy, and non-judgment into the therapy setting. I recognize that being Queer isn’t a catch-all. Being knowledgeable about the diverse backgrounds and identities within the Queer community is important in my practice so you can feel understood and validated as a unique individual.

Counseling teenagers involves navigating a critical and often tumultuous period of development, marked by significant physical, emotional, and social changes. A primary focus of my practice is first building trust and rapport, as teens are often sensitive to issues of confidentiality and respect. I value this highly. As the relationship develops and trust is form, I address a range of issues, from academic stress and peer pressure to family dynamics and self-identity exploration. Given the prevalence of mental health challenges for teens today, I am equipped with strategies to recognize and address these issues early. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where teenagers feel heard and understood, empowering them with coping skills and resilience to navigate their complex worlds.

Addressing anxiety in counseling involves a multifaceted approach tailored to your individual needs and severity of your symptoms. I begin by creating a safe and supportive environment where you feel comfortable discussing your anxieties without fear of judgment. I aim to help you explore practical ways of coping with anxiety and promote resilience-building strategies to manage anxiety in everyday situations. I will help you explore underlying issues as well, such as past trauma or current life stressors which may be exacerbating your anxiety.

Life transitions, such as starting a new career, losing a job, moving, marriage, divorce, having kids, retirement, or coping with loss, can disrupt someone’s sense of stability and identity. These transitions can evoke a range of emotions from excitement to anxiety and uncertainty. I will support you by helping you understand and process your feelings, identify your strengths, and develop strategies for managing stress and uncertainty. This process often includes exploring your values and goals to align your actions with your desired outcomes. By providing a safe and supportive space, I hope to enable you to explore new perspectives, adapt to change, and ultimately growth through your transitions, turning challenges into opportunities for personal development.