Welcome

If you are looking for a therapist, you are seeking a means to alleviate discomfort in your life. You might be questioning your primary relationship, grieving a loss, or looking for greater meaning in your existence. You may be overwhelmed with stress from your job, feeling anxious about your future, or having concerns about your use of alcohol or other drugs. Or maybe you find that you're extremely hard on yourself, and cannot seem to turn off the harsh critic inside your head.

Therapy can help with all of these issues.

As a clinician, I work from some basic beliefs:

• people are doing the best they can at any given time
• even behaviors that don't serve us almost always have a positive intention behind them, and have arisen in response to previous life events
• patterns are learned, and can be unlearned, with new behaviors adopted in their place
• you are the ultimate expert on your life, not me
• you already possess the inner wisdom you need; my job is to help you access that wisdom

Throughout human evolution, our brains have become "wired" to function optimally when we are in nurturing relationships with others where we feel safe and understood. This is the kind of alliance that is created by a skilled therapist. To that end, I won't judge you or tell you what choices are best for you, and I won't assume there is something wrong with you. I also won't stare blankly in a way that makes you squirm, with an occasional, "Mmm hmmm," before announcing, "I'm afraid our time is up for this week."

Here's what I will do: I will listen carefully, and ask questions to elicit your truth. I will share what I've learned about human psychology, behavior and relationships, through my education and training, as well as my own life experience . I will offer gentle challenges, and guide you to figure out what is getting in the way of you having the kind of life you want. Then, together we will work to help you make the changes that will bring about a different life.

My style is warm, compassionate and highly interactive. I see my work - first and foremost - as connecting with you as another human being trying to make their way in a demanding and frequently hostile world. I provide a supportive environment that encourages self exploration, as well as new ways to think about old problems. I offer concrete suggestions for building new skills, and taking alternative actions.

Please contact me to schedule a complimentary 20 minute consultation.