I offer both brief, focused treatment as well as longer-term exploratory psychotherapy. My treatment approach is eclectic, meaning that I make use of a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches for helping people, especially those approaches informed by psychodynamic theory, attachment research, and emotional development. I treat adults who have a variety of problems such as depression, loneliness, grief, anxiety, shyness, poor self-esteem, relationship difficulties, sexual problems, adapting to chronic illness, trauma, and stressful life transitions. I have a particular interest and specialty working with couples, individuals during midlife and early adult transitions, as well as treating some of the unique issues that confront women throughout their lives, such those related to their reproductive health.
Women’s Mental Health
There is a close connection between a woman’s reproductive life and her emotional experience, and many of the psychological issues that women bring to therapy relate to their reproductive life. These include adjustment to normative events such as pregnancy, childbearing, perimenopause and menopause, as well as challenges posed by non-normative experiences such as infertility, pregnancy loss, sexual abuse, or health problems. Other issues that bring women to treatment include anxiety, depression, work/career choices, interpersonal and family relationships, and finding balance between giving to others and giving to one’s self.
Couples Psychotherapy
Close relationships provide us with our greatest joys and greatest sufferings. Couples often find that they are locked in negative cycles that seem inescapable, are hurt by past events that appear unable to be healed, or are wondering about the viability of their partnership. Many wish to find greater joy, intimacy, and emotional satisfaction in their relationships. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is an effective means of addressing these kinds of issues, and I am a Certified EFT therapist. You can read more about EFT at www.ncceft.com .
Psychotherapy in Midlife and Beyond
We are living longer than any previous generation. A desire to make the most of those years often brings people to therapy. For many, midlife is a time of looking back and taking stock of what one has and has not achieved, and what shall never be. The recognition that time is limited but still considerable can lead to positive life changes, as well as distress. As aging progresses, additional challenges emerge, such as changes in physical and cognitive functioning, disruption of occupational and social roles, the death of friends and family members, and awareness of one’s own mortality. Adapting to these changes in healthy ways can be an important therapeutic goal.
About Medications
Medications can be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy for some clients. I work closely with prescribing physicians and psychiatrists as a normal part of coordinating a client’s treatment. I can provide referrals for an initial medication evaluation if necessary.