Many enter therapy because something has changed.  Either a relationship has ended or shifted, a new relationship is beginning, something has changed at the office, a loved one has become ill, infidelity has been discovered, an important friendship has changed, a wedding date or another important upcoming occasion is causing anxiety, or any number of significant other life events are causing heightened emotions and/ or symptoms.  Common symptoms include anxiety, depression, reduced or increased sleep, reduced or increased appetite, or lack of concentration.

I have experience with all of these scenarios and know how to help people adjust to and effectively address whatever changes or life events have led them into therapy.  I work with clients to set clear goals, teach communication enhancement and apply relevant psychological theories to help them meet their stated goals and build happier and more fulfilling lives.

Individual psychotherapy facilitates the development of insight about the underlying causes of depression and anxiety that may be holding one back from leading a productive and fulfilling life. Through establishing clinical goals and practicing new behaviors, adults can begin to reduce depression and anxiety, build self-esteem, and develop a productive self-identity.

Couples psychotherapy emphasizes strategies for understanding and reducing unproductive relational patterns, strengthening communication skills, and enhancing relational intimacy.

Couples frequently enter therapy because their career or child rearing demands have strained the marriage, because infidelity has occurred, because wedding planning is stressful, or because they need to improve their communication skills, rekindle their sex life or increase their degree of emotional intimacy.  I have worked intensively and successfully with couples addressing each of these issues.

Couples begin by setting goals for areas in the relationship where they feel that change would be helpful.  They work to gain insight about all that they contribute to their relationship.  In other words, they pinpoint their part in what makes the relationship work well, and their part in the relationship’s challenges.  Then, together, the couple works to build on the relationship’s strengths and address the challenges.

My approach to couples therapy emphasizes that blame is not productive, and that sometimes a willingness to focus on yourself is the key to greater intimacy and happier relationships.

Communication enhancement is central to my approach to couples therapy, and I teach and practice various psychological theories and communication tools to help couples say what they need to say to one another in healthy, kind, thoughtful ways.

Group psychotherapy provides a room of mirrors through which adults can begin to see the communication and relational patterns that are not serving them well. It offers an opportunity to work together to enhance the capacity for intimacy and to build a stronger sense of self.

Groups run anywhere from five to nine months, and include five to seven members.  Confidentiality is the most important rule of the group, and confidentiality contracts are signed and discussed in detail during the first group session.

Most clients do not enter therapy looking to participate in a group.  However, if they choose to participate, they typically find the process incredibly helpful.  Why?  Because there is something powerful about hearing what your material brings up for others, and in noticing what other people’s material elicits in you.  Group therapy can increase the pace through which individuals develop insights about themselves and then turn these insights into action.  In other words, group therapy frequently speeds up the process through which clients meet their goals and make necessary changes in order to have a happier life.