Overview

My approach to therapy is eclectic, meaning I draw from a range of theories and modalities, based on what I sense would most benefit my clients. That said, I primarily use a handful of theories that resonate best with my style and beliefs. As a participant in therapy, it’s fine for you to experience the benefits without focusing on the theory. But for those of you who are curious, I’ve provided an overview below of the theories that most influence my work.

In discussing therapy, it’s easy to get lost in abstract jargon or an alphabet soup of abbreviations. I’ve tried to avoid this by describing each theory briefly and mostly in my own words.

Humanism

The foundation of my work is a humanistic approach to therapy. Humanism casts a vote of confidence for each person’s intrinsic worth and innate motivation to grow psychologically. This approach means that I believe that compassion and authenticity between myself and my clients is the most important factor contributing to healing.

I have seen time and again that listening deeply, reflecting what I hear honestly, and joining with people to examine their experiences results in the emergence of their own wisdom. Rather than me telling you something about yourself, I am hopeful that our dialogue will help you identify and articulate your own truths.

With this in mind, I strive to create a warm and welcoming environment. My goal is to honor each person's unique story while respecting the range of human and cultural experiences that shape us all. I also try to create an environment that feels relaxed and down to earth, with plenty of laughter. Although therapy is serious work, seeing the humor and enjoying the absurdity of life goes a long way toward lightening the load!

Attachment Theory

As I describe in the “About” section of this site, the patterns we form around relationships begin being shaped very early on - perhaps even from the moment we begin sensing the world around us. Attachment Theory is a school of thought in psychology that studies these early patterns of attachment formation and how they impact relationships over our lifespans. Bringing awareness to these patterns in therapy provides an opportunity to better understand our core needs in relationships and how we respond to one another. This awareness also invites us to contemplate new ways of interacting, expressing our needs, and responding to one another.

Additionally, the process of building trust between therapist and client can serve as a metaphor to building or repairing trust in other relationships. My interactions with you will always be contained within the clear professional roles of therapist and client. Within that framework, however, I will occasionally invite you to reflect on how our interactions are going. I will then collaborate with you to experiment within our communication to overcome obstacles to trust or deeper understanding.

Cognitive Behavioral THerapy

Although deep listening is powerful, I recognize that people also at times benefit from a more directive approach. In those situations, I may recommend some concrete actions or practices that are known to help people respond to difficult thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, trauma or stress. When I am being more directive, I often draw from several evidence-based practices that fall under the general umbrella of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

In a nutshell, CBT uses a wide range of strategies to promote awareness of the links between thoughts, beliefs, emotions, the body, and actions. If appropriate, I will work with you to examine your current behaviors or thought patterns, to build on your strengths, and to consider, plan, and implement alternatives that may be more helpful. I may also model and support use of concrete skills that can calm your body, help you to cope with difficult emotions, improve your communication patterns, or facilitate problem solving.

Integration of the Shadow

I have not completed formal training as a Jungian analyst and do not presume to represent myself as such. However, my graduate level studies and ongoing professional development have provided me with a general understanding and lifelong fascination with Jung’s work. I am particularly interested in the concept of acknowledging and integrating the shadow aspects of ourselves that we are inclined to bury.

Jung defined the shadow as, “the ‘negative’ side of the personality, the sum of all those unpleasant qualities we like to hide, together with the insufficiently developed… contents of the personal unconscious.” [Carl Jung, footnote #5, Two Essays in Analytical Psychology, par. 103n] Shining awareness on the shadow can be frightening but also brings us to a more complete understanding of our true selves. This allows us to make sense of (rather than being controlled by) those murkier corners of the psyche.

In fact, when we integrate our shadow rather than repressing it, we often find conduits to surprising strengths. Along with darker aspects of human nature, the shadow may contain positive parts of ourselves that we’ve been waiting to reclaim. The shadow is directly linked to qualities such as vitality, spontaneity, inspiration, instinct, creativity, and even playfulness. Use of expressive art therapy techniques (such as those discussed in the next section) are particularly effective channels to safely access and integrate the shadow.

Dance/ Movement Therapy &

Drama Therapy

My original training was in Dance/ Movement Therapy, with an additional specialization in Drama Therapy. I pursued this training because I am fascinated with the connections between verbal and non-verbal experiences and with the links between the body, mind, emotions, psyche, and the creative process.

Dance/ Movement Therapy is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual.” Drama Therapy is defined by The North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) as, “the intentional use of drama and/or theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals.” The NADTA further states that drama therapy, “can provide the context for participants to tell their stories… express feelings, or achieve catharsis.”

Prior to making the switch to Marriage and Family Therapy, I worked for about six years with teens, children, and adults using these modalities to promote self-expression. On the surface, my work these days looks more like traditional talk therapy. However, even while sitting and talking, I always see the world through the lens of my dance/ movement and drama therapy training. I’m aware of subtle shifts in non-verbal cues and stay curious about noticing how physical sensations or creative processes can support growth and progress toward goals.