Individual Therapy

Choosing therapy is a courageous act.

Depression, anxiety, fear, confusion, anger.

People so often feel ashamed and alone in their intense emotions. Do you?

The beautiful irony is that no one is alone in these emotions.

Even you. It just feels like you are.

From Millennial Malaise to Empty Nest Syndrome; from Mid-Life Crisis to Career Change to Unexpected Challenges … Even though role changes are universal, that doesn’t mean life transitions are easy.

We will explore your unique circumstances, draw on inherent strengths, and learn new skills to help you navigate life’s only constant: Change.

Individual therapy can address any number of personal challenges.

Do you have difficulty making decisions? Wouldn’t it be nice to trust your intuition more, to be confident in your own choices? You and I can discover ways to access inner strengths you might not be aware of.

Do you struggle in your relationships? Have trouble communicating effectively? Sometimes it’s hard to recognize our own contributions to conflict. I’ll help you go beyond the content of conflicts into the inner and outer dynamics that fuel them. Then we’ll work on how to change communication patterns that get in your way.

Loneliness has become an epidemic in our culture.

It’s hard to realize you are not alone in your loneliness when each day feels empty and endless no matter how many Facebook friends you have.

Develop healthy boundaries.

Some people need to learn how to say no; if you are lonely, it might be that you need to learn how to say "yes."

We will identify and explore your unique barriers to authentic connection with others and work to soften your boundaries enough to make some changes.

Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Your therapy will unfold as a unique response to your needs. I don’t subscribe to a strict method of treatment, but rather use a variety of approaches that honor the moment in the most valuable and personal way.

I believe life happens in relationship – in the spaces between the notes. The most important ingredient of successful therapy is the relationship between the two of us; it is one of respect, honesty, and authenticity. It is not static. The more it grows and deepens, the more meaningful the work becomes.

You will be an active participant along the way… your input helps shape your treatment.

You’re not in this alone.

What will we do? We’ll talk. We’ll listen to each other. Sometimes we’ll laugh; sometimes we’ll cry.

Sometimes we’ll honor silence.

Notice I said "we." That was on purpose.

We’ll start with a shared vision of where we want to go, but tangents are a beautiful thing. All those little farm stands and unexpected local attractions you stumble upon when you take the scenic route… there’s no hurry.

I’m a straight-shooter, but kindness is a trait I cherish. I will reflect what I observe. If it’s in your blind spot, it might be hard to hear at times; but feedback is always offered with a compassionate eye toward your growth and well-being.

BALANCE is essential to WELLNESS.

I use strategies for mind, body, soul, and brain to help you discover where your balance is shaky… and find ways to engage areas that need more attention. These might include physical, emotional, spiritual, social, occupational, and family realms.

A given session might include an insight-oriented focus, interpersonal techniques, sensory and somatic work, Dream Work, breathing techniques, naming thoughts and emotions, or other techniques specific to overcoming trauma.

I like to begin with a focus on mindfulness.

The 50-minute therapy hour is a gift to yourself. It is most valuable if all of you (and me) are "in the building."

If portions of your mind are still engaged with work or thinking about what you have to do after therapy, you’re shortchanging yourself. Believe me, all the "crazy" will still be out there when you hit the parking lot. But you’ll have just given your all to the process of making it better.

"Mindfulness" has become a buzzword…

But all mindfulness really means is noticing what is happening in the moment – without judgment. It has nothing to do with "getting rid of your thoughts."

I believe the body is an important and eloquent ally.

Emotions live in the body, and the body is always present.

"Can you feel your feet in your shoes?"

I bet your mind just went to your feet, and maybe you even gave some attention to your socks. In that moment of directing your attention to your feet, you were fully present.

The Art of Noticing

We’ll learn and practice what I like to call the Art of Noticing. Yes, it involves mindfulness –using our five senses to ground oneself in the moment – but it’s more than that.

The Art of Noticing is a "Way of Being." An attitude. A receptivity to in-the-moment experience that enhances the way you walk through the world.

The Art of Noticing is about being open to the world, so you can see more than just what you are looking for.

Noticing makes all the difference. My clients are sometimes skeptical when I suggest this. Then they begin to practice, and there’s no going back.

Dreams can be a rich source of information.

Dreams are fascinating, of course, and can be entertaining – but at the end of the day the question is, "What will be of use? How will the quality of my life be enhanced?"

Dreams are far more than leftovers from your past few days. They can be a mirror to unconscious knowledge of the dynamics of your past and current life. Looking through the lens of your dream world can inspire a deeper vision of the possible.

Dreams do not come to tell you what you already know.

Dream Work is not about analyzing. It is more about translating the language of imagery into a dialect we can understand. It is about tending the images that appear in your dreams rather than molding them to fit meanings we consciously assign.

If this interests you, dreams can be a powerful addition to our work.

There is more to yourself than you think!

I bring all my parts to the therapy session and I invite you to bring your many parts, too.

Let’s start your counseling journey…

Human beings are simply brilliant at avoiding emotional pain…

Let’s not avoid it. Let’s explore it… together.

It’s time to restore balance and wellness to your life.

Don’t put it off any longer. Call me today at (585) 591-6940.