My Approach

Fundamental to my work is my deep trust in our basic human goodness and our natural movement toward wholeness.  When we listen closely and compassionately we discover our natural vitality that may have previously been diminished.

I understand that many times when we are seeking therapy, our lives (thoughts, emotions, bodies) may feel unbearable, impossible to tolerate and that we are looking for a way to get over feeling disconnected and alone.  We may be experiencing anxiety, feel reactive or out of control.

Before we can change and clear out negative thoughts and behaviors, it’s important to understand what emotional triggers might be happening so that we can see ourselves and our feelings clearly and compassionately.

This process can take time - we are in it together
Our first step is to create a safe space, and go on to identify and develop inner and outer resources so that emotional reactivity and destructive behaviors are diminished.

Compassionate Listening
As you learn tools and techniques to help self-calm, ground and relax, there can be a deeper listening to your inner guide.  Your thoughts and feelings change your capacity for dealing with the old hurts and new hurts.

Lasting Change
As you see more clearly and your own truth with new eyes, you begin to “try out” new behaviors and practices, perhaps first in session and then with your friends, family and coworkers.  You begin to feel a deeper confidence and competence in meeting the unfolding of life.

Mindfulness
Seeing what is happening in the body, emotions and thoughts without judgement.  I offer mindfulness techniques and resources.

Compassion
Helps us to accept and not to fight against what is here — to trust yourself better.  And then to know where you want to go from there.  I will help you to develop or deepen your compassion through my own compassionate listen and reflection.  Often times it might be easier to offer compassion and understanding to others more than ourselves.   I can share practices such as guided imagery and meditations that can help strengthen your sense of compassion.

Body awareness, emotional regulation
Our present time body sensations are a gateway into a clear understanding of our experience and resource for emotional regulation.  Body scanning and focusing-in are techniques that help us inhabit our bodies.  Touch work allows for the possibility of repairing significant attachment ruptures through co-regulation.

Creative imagination and expression
Inviting expression to take form in color and shape in the mind’s eye and on paper allows us to access a different layer of knowing and understanding.

Thich Nhat Hanh states, “I define mindfulness as the practice of being fully present and alive, body and mind united. Mindfulness is the energy that helps us to know what is going on in the present moment.”