I did not grow up dreaming of becoming a therapist.  In fact, I spent much of my life exploring and trying to figure out what I wanted to do.  Looking back, it is easy to see how this career makes sense, but it was not something my younger self would have anticipated.

I spent my early adult years living abroad and studying literature and philosophy, eventually earning a PhD.  I was drawn by curiosity about different cultures and different ways of being.  As I pursued these studies, I was particularly fascinated by autobiography and how people use words to formulate a coherent sense of self (a foreshadowing of my turn to psychotherapy!).  One constant in my life has been music.  I was an avid listener from an early age and have spent many years playing guitar professionally in a variety of genres.

I was introduced to the world of therapy as I was dealing with loss and navigating relationship challenges.  I became curious about the process and realized that I would like to learn more and to be able to provide others with the kind of support I was receiving.  At that point in my life, helping people discover themselves and lean into their strengths felt like a logical progression from my background teaching language and music.  This is how I came to pursue a master’s degree in counseling psychology and became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Before launching my private practice, I received extensive training and experience working in community mental health.

I continue to learn and grow, and my curiosity is ever-expanding.  I bring this spirit into my therapeutic work.  I am constantly learning about new theories and methods, but more importantly, I am always learning from the people I am helping.

My Approach

From my experience with literature, I bring an attentiveness to the ways that language and context influence our sense of self.  We are constantly telling ourselves stories about our lives.   Examining and sometimes “re-writing” these stories can profoundly impact how we respond to things in the present. 

From music, I bring an attunement to the present.  I am prepared to listen, observe and respond in the moment with a combination of compassion, intuition and intention, informed by the knowledge I have accumulated over many years and the skills I have practiced over many hours.

 I am committed to creating a space of trust where every part of you feels welcome.  I am convinced that while understanding and awareness are important, they are not sufficient for healing and growth.  I draw on a wide range of practices and interventions that promote attention to what our bodies are telling us and foster experiential and relational change. 

Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, either from one individual to another or for the same individual at different points in time.  I endeavor to respond to the person in front of me where they are in that moment and help them discover where they would like to be and how to get there.

My work is informed by many contemporary modes of therapy, including:  Client-Focused, Internal Family Systems Parts Work, Somatic Awareness, Relational, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Trauma-informed, Attachment Theory, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic, Existential, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy