Specialties & Areas of Focus
Learn more about my specialties, therapeutic approaches, and treatment modalities
Suicidal Ideation and Self- Harm
People are often concerned that if they express their suicidal thoughts to a counselor, they may be hospitalized. While that may be appropriate in some circumstances, it is often the case that having open, honest, and collaborative dialogue can provide the safety and hope that you need to work through these feelings without making hospitalization necessary. I have extensive experience in providing client-focused, suicide-related care, and I also offer QPR training to help others recognize and respond to signs of suicidality.
Chronic Illness
For people with chronic illness, their symptoms, suffering, and pain are often invisible to others. This can create feelings of isolation, depression, exhaustion, and self-doubt. Additionally, challenges such as financial strain, disbelief from medical professionals, and compounding symptoms of physical illness and stress can create unique challenges for those with chronic illness and chronic pain. It can be helpful to talk through these struggles in a safe and supportive environment with someone who believes you. It can also be helpful to talk to someone who believes you, but with whom you don’t feel pressured to discuss your symptoms or prove that you are suffering. Additionally, I offer a seven-week support group for clients with chronic pain and/or chronic illness. Acknowledging that chronic conditions often limit one’s ability to attend in-person gatherings, this support group meets in a fully virtual setting. To view the support group schedule or to express your interest in such a group, click here.
Gender Identity and LGBTQIA+
I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist. What it means to me to be affirming is that I embrace everyone’s right to explore who they want to be, how they want to live their lives, build and experience relationships, and present themselves to the world in an authentic way. Living authentically can look different for each person - I encourage thoughtfulness, consideration, and open dialogue as clients explore what their most fulfilling and authentic life looks like. In providing care to LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, I acknowledge the commonalities that all people experience while also respecting the unique dynamics that may be a factor for LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, or for those in non-monogamous and/or non-traditional relationships. I embrace the American Counseling Association’s acknowledgement that “gender and sex exist along a continuum and are not exclusive to the gender binary system, which dominates most of discourse in counseling. The [ACA representatives] urge counselors to acknowledge the client’s selected identity(s) and language as an effort to foster self-determinism and empowerment , and also to reflect on their own general use of language to utilize words and/or labels that are inclusive, preferred, and empowering”. It can sometimes be difficult for parents to reconcile their religious or personal beliefs or upbringing with their child’s sexuality or gender identity. It can be hard for parents to find a safe place to express their concerns, worries, or fears about that process. This is a safe place to explore those feelings regarding the child or loved one that you care about so deeply. When it comes to trans identity, especially in younger people, there is a misconception that medical and mental health professionals may quickly encourage someone to medically transition. Transitioning is a big decision, and it is important to take adequate time. A therapist’s role is not to tell someone “yes” all the time - instead, a therapist is there to help clients to be introspective and to thoughtfully determine what an authentic life means for them. People come into counseling at various points in their own journey, and there is consideration and respect for the work that they’ve done on their own. At any point in the journey, I encourage a deliberate and thought-filled process.
Couples Counseling
I use an EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) approach in couples counseling. I work to help couples understand the patterns of interaction in their relationship, exploring what they are experiencing during moments of positive connection and also in moments of disagreement or disconnection.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
Anxiety and Depression: There is an epidemic of anxiety and depression in our world right now. Sometimes at the core, there are negative beliefs that we begin to carry when we are very young. We will explore these together and potentially use EMDR to process the early beliefs that continue to feed your distress. Trauma & PTSD: EMDR is an empirically proven methodology which can be a very effective tool to work through trauma and PTSD. When we begin thinking about a traumatic experience, a portion of our brains go into “fight or flight” mode, feeling as if we are reliving the experience in real time. This can prevent us from fully processing the memory, leaving us in a state of stress and agitation. EMDR treatment allows clients to work through trauma in a safe, controlled, and guided environment, allowing the brain to fully process memories and put the past in the past.
EX/RP (Exposure and Response Prevention)
OCD and Phobias: Exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) is a protocol that is often used to help clients with OCD or phobias. A common misunderstanding about exposure therapy is that a client with a phobia will be quickly exposed to the thing they are most afraid of. In reality, exposure and response prevention is a highly collaborative, consensual experience. The client and clinician work together to determine a hierarchy of fears, beginning with exposure to the smallest and most manageable fear. Each additional step in the exposure hierarchy will be hard but doable. Throughout the process, there will always be choice and collaboration. My role is to help prepare, support, empathize, and encourage you as we work through the issue one step at a time. OCD: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is fueled by a cycle of fears, avoidance behaviors, and safety behaviors. We will work to understand what that cycle looks like for you. People often experience embarrassment and shame tied to their OCD symptoms and diagnoses. I assure you that in my office, there is no need to be ashamed, and I want to alleviate the stigma and embarrassment you may feel, as we work towards relief from your OCD symptoms. Just as with EX/RP related to phobias, we will take a hard-but-doable approach to reframe the thoughts that fuel your OCD symptom cycle.
Virtual Reality Therapy
Virtual Reality Therapy integrates nicely with one of my other passions - technology! Using virtual reality, we can access mindfulness and visualization tools that are unique and engaging. VR Therapy can also be very useful in working with fears and phobias, as it allows us to experience environments that may be risky in real life for someone who has not mastered the skills needed. For example, if someone’s fear of driving has prevented them from getting a license, we can use VR therapy to experience a driving simulation from the safety of the counseling office. In an environment that may cause great anxiety in the real world, clients feel reassured by the idea that they are experiencing a virtual environment that can be stopped at any time by removing a headset if necessary. Note: At the moment, VR therapy is not available as I am switching providers. But stay tuned! I am in collaboration with a local VR developer and hope to have access to this technology again very soon!
