Areas of Focus

Anxiety & Stress

Constantly feeling stressed, panicked, overwhelmed, or worried is exhausting. I use an eclectic approach to help you understand your anxiety as well as to find ways to better manage it. I typically begin with psychoeducation about the nervous system, anxiety’s evolutionary purpose, and the biology of your physical symptoms to help you gain a deeper understanding of what is happening and why. Knowing these details can enable you to see that while anxiety is uncomfortable, it isn’t dangerous. 

I offer a variety of coping skills, such as breathing, grounding, self-compassion, boundary-setting, and self-talk techniques, while also encouraging the acceptance of anxiety as a temporary, protective, feeling. I use values to support your ability to take values-based action despite your anxiety. Together, we’ll work to reduce your anxiety — while also equipping you to continue to live a full and meaningful life even if anxiety visits.

Trauma

Even long after a trauma has occurred, our bodies and brains feel the impact. I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting as ways to process traumatic experiences that can feel “stuck” within us. These two approaches allow you to process trauma without having to talk about it, which can be a big relief for many people. I also use principles from Internal Family Systems (IFS) to understand how trauma impacts your beliefs and behaviors. For example, people who had emotionally neglectful parents can have a difficult time getting close to others. Together, we will unpack how this has been protective (and even necessary!) at times, as well as how to begin to make new choices in how you interact with yourself, the world, and others.  

All of these approaches recognize that people have the ability to heal on their own. Sometimes all that’s needed is a little help jumpstarting the process. As we work together, my hope is that you will be able to make sense of who you are now and let go of negative beliefs you picked up along the way, allowing space to live the life you want.

Relationship Issues

When things aren’t going well with our partners or family members, it can be difficult to focus on anything else. I work with people to learn more effective and healthy ways to resolve conflict, to identify and communicate their needs, to create and set healthy boundaries, and to examine and rethink patterns and habits that may be contributing to issues in the relationship.

Depression

When you’re depressed, simple acts  — getting out of bed, taking a shower, or preparing a meal —can feel incredibly difficult. I encourage acceptance that depression is present and, at the same time, I work with you to identify your values and interests and use them to help motivate behavior change. Feel like staying home all day? But recognize that you value connection and friendship? We’ll work to figure out a way to get you to your friend's birthday party. This is also where my shame-free accountability is most helpful in making little goals that go a long way. Together, we will process and problem-solve issues contributing to your feelings of depression and build self-compassion and hope for a happier future.

Life Transitions

Changes are inevitable and often even thoughtfully planned and considered. No matter what, change can still leave us feeling unsettled and destabilized which often leads to falling back into old, unhelpful, patterns. It can be really helpful to have support as you make transitions in life — in relationships, in work, in location, and in school, for example — to have a place to process how you’re feeling and to make sure you’re coping as best as possible. Or, to get support when the unexpected happens despite great planning. I will help you in processing and problem-solving the challenges and celebrating the wins along the way.