In our sessions, my goal is to create an environment that is uniquely tailored what YOU need, ensuring that our work together is both impactful and meaningful. My approach is eclectic, I integrate a blend of creative arts, psychodynamic and cognitive approaches to focus on an array of issues, from feeling like you’re barely holding it together to processing intense trauma to just figuring out who you are and what makes you happy.
My approach
Psychodynamic / Parts Work
Inner child work and parts work are fundamental to my process. These are therapeutic approaches that delve into the exploration and healing of the fragmented aspects of an individual's psyche. Inner child work involves reconnecting with and addressing unresolved emotions, memories, and experiences from childhood that may continue to impact one's adult life.
The focus is on nurturing and healing the wounded inner child, fostering self-compassion, and promoting emotional well-being. Parts work, often associated with Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, views the mind as composed of various sub-personalities or "parts." These parts represent different aspects of the self, each with its own feelings, beliefs, and functions. The goal of parts work is to understand, communicate with, and integrate these parts, fostering internal harmony and balance. Both inner child work and parts work aim to promote self-awareness, emotional healing, and overall psychological integration for individuals seeking personal growth and emotional resilience.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based approach that focuses on the emotional patterns and attachment needs that shape how we relate to ourselves and others. EFT helps individuals and couples understand the deeper emotions beneath recurring patterns of conflict, disconnection, or distress, creating opportunities for greater security, understanding, and connection. Rather than focusing solely on changing behaviors, EFT explores what is happening underneath those behaviors and helps people develop new ways of responding to themselves and their relationships.
EFT For Couples
In couples therapy, EFT helps partners identify the cycles they can become stuck in (such as pursuing and withdrawing, criticism and defensiveness, or conflict and disconnection) and understand the underlying needs and vulnerabilities driving those patterns. Together, we work toward creating more open communication, emotional responsiveness, and a stronger sense of safety and connection. The goal isn't to determine who is right or wrong, but to help partners better understand one another and build a more secure and fulfilling relationship.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/ DBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are evidence-based therapeutic approaches that aim to help individuals manage and overcome various mental health challenges. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, emphasizing the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is goal-oriented and often involves strategies to modify distorted thinking and develop healthier coping mechanisms. On the other hand, DBT integrates elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques. DBT places a strong emphasis on acceptance and validation while also encouraging the development of skills for emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Holistic/ Mind-Body Connection
I use holistic approaches like mindfulness and somatic interventions that recognize the interconnectedness of the mind and body in promoting emotional well-being. Somatic therapy focuses on the body's role in shaping our experiences and emotions, aiming to address and release physical tension and trauma stored in the body. I help individuals tune into bodily sensations, encouraging self-awareness and facilitating the processing of emotions on a physiological level. We'll explore various ways to ground and connect with your body, fostering holistic well-being. I may ask you to get up and move, incorporating breathwork. Maybe we will draw and get creative.
Practicing mindfulness is much more than just meditation. I encourage present-moment awareness without judgment. I teach individuals to observe their thoughts and feelings without attachment, cultivating a non-reactive and accepting attitude. Both somatic and mindfulness therapies encourage individuals to develop a deeper connection to their internal experiences, fostering a greater sense of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
You can additionally view some of my favorite resources here.
What is a Marriage and Family Therapist?
A Marriage and Family Therapist — or MFT — is a trained professional specializing in providing therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Unlike other therapeutic roles, MFTs specifically focus on relationships and the impact they have on mental health and well-being. You do not need to be married or be seeking family therapy to utilize an MFT – this is a common misconception! On the contrary, I am trained to understand how familial systems and other relational dynamics impact the individual. I work from a systems perspective, considering how interconnected relationships influence one another. This holistic view allows for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges clients may be facing. I can help you build healthier connections, navigate challenges, and achieve positive change in your life.