Providing individual, couples and family counseling.

Treatment specialization includes:

• Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
• Couples Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Parenting Support
• Grief Counseling
• Work and Career issues
• Stress Management
• Addiction & Recovery
• Conflict Resolution

Families

Family Therapy

Happy Families are similar in their happiness. Unhappy families are very different from one another.

Happy families (healthy) share three characteristics: clear boundaries (closeness and separation satisfying both individual and group needs); Flexibility (roles are clear yet flexible to accommodate changes over the life cycle); Hierarchal Organization (clear generational divisions, leadership directed from the parents with united coalition, older children have more responsibilities and privileges than younger ones). When these three characteristics become blurred and fluctuate to extremes, families begin to feel the stress and become out of balance.

These shifts can manifest variously (maladaptive), for example when one parent or the other involve a child in a coalition against the other parent. The child is put in the position of relating as an adult without any power and parents are divided and in opposition of one another. Another example, parents appear to be united on the surface and can blame another family member as the “problem” or as the “trouble maker”, as in, “If only he or she would do as he/she is told” or “Why can’t he/she listen to us”.

Other forms of maladaptive behaviors are family members intrude on each other’s thoughts and feelings. No one is allowed to think or feel differently than the consensus of the family. Family members may be hypersensitive to family member’s distress or welfare; all of which can repress or limit the development of autonomy, competence, or interests outside the family.

Now the good news, none of this is ‘set in stone’. Neuroscience informs us that as human beings we are hardwired to be in connection with one another and constantly looking to be seen and heard. What better place for this to happen than in the family.

I will be working with you to solve current problems, develop better communication, more harmony and a stronger sense of well - being between family members

I will initially see the entire family together. Later I may see an individual or two together in order to resolve problems that are between them.

Individuals

Individual therapy

In general my goal is to meet you where you are at this moment in time. We will work with the material you bring to the session. To that end, I encourage clients to be as honest and truthful as possible. I understand there are parts of your life that are very tender and feel vulnerable when exposed to another. I actively and attentively listen; and encourage you also listen to your inner wise self, that knows what is best for you. Often times when you hear yourself speak it out loud, you suddenly get it has been there all the time; just waiting to be heard, waiting to be seen. Such a moment!

Individuals seek counseling when perhaps what has worked in the past, no longer gives the same satisfying results. Life begins to feel stagnant, dull, even boring. Your relationships dissolve and wither. Anxiety, Depression, Addictions of all sorts, Anger, Sadness, Fear become a sort of coping mechanism, a distraction from finding meaning and the potential of your life. The good news is Neuroscience tells us that our brain has the capacity to change continually over our life span. You can adapt, change and heal. As humans we are meant to be in relationship with others.

My approach to therapy is from a systemic perspective, which means people function in interconnected relationships; family, social, and community relationships. Each system influences the others. I have also been influenced by Attachment Theory, Trauma Theory and Mindfulness Practices. Jungian, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Interpersonal Biology, Humanistic, Client-Centered Therapy. Together we will explore how you relate and have been influenced by the psychological and social system of which you are a part. We will work together to look at current and past patterns. Some of which are beneficial and others not so much. I may offer psycho-educational information, provide feedback, offer support and at times gently challenge you on your perspective. I may offer homework assignments, for example a short mindful practice or a more behavioral structured assignment. I firmly believe people have an innate journey to wholeness and fulfillment. It is my pleasure to be beside you through this journey.

Individuals seek counseling for:

Better understanding of thoughts, feeling and behaviors

I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for depression and grief counseling to parenting support, couples counseling and beyond. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of my clients individual needs to help attain the personal growth they’re striving for.