treatment approaches

psychodynamic: My psychodynamic treatment approach helps my clients to explore the ways in which early relationships and emotional expectations have influenced their current difficulties. I not only help clients to become aware of their unconscious behaviors, but I also assist them in exploring how these behaviors have served them. Only after the behaviors are understood and accepted, can an individual allow himself or herself to experience the underlying emotions these behaviors have served to suppress. From this position, clients can work through these emotions with me while the unhealthy behaviors slowly lose their power and are replaced with healthier means of relating and coping.

attachment model (Bowlby): Another crucial aspect of treatment is the development of healthy relationship experiences to replace inadequate earlier ones discussed above. The consistency of the developing relationship with the psychotherapist provides a solid foundation from which the clients can begin to heal old emotional wounds and ultimately allow themselves to engage fully in their current relationships.

intersubjective: Within the framework discussed above, the in-the-moment interactions between therapist and client are interpreted which helps the client to gain awareness of his or her manner of relating with others. Clients are then able to make conscious changes to repair or enhance their current relationships.

psychoeducation: I believe it is important for each of my clients to understand the process of therapy as well as gain understanding of his or her specific manifestation of their unexpressed internal emotions (anxiety, eating disorders, depression, mood disorders, self-harm behaviors).

cognitive-behavioral therapy: If deemed appropriate, I will utilize structured exercises to help clients connect their thoughts, emotions and behavior patterns. This mode of therapy can be useful in helping clients with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or disorders that manifest in compulsive behaviors. Clients learn to manage their symptoms while the slower more permanent process of insight-oriented psychotherapy occurs.