My Approach to Helping
Most people come because they are struggling with depression and/or anxiety. You may be overwhelmed with confusion and uncertainty about your most important relationships. I spend a lot of time in relationship counseling, helping clients sort out feelings of anger, disappointment or hurt. In my work of 30 + years in a variety of settings, I have learned that all people have much in common and one thing is certain, all people long for love and connection. We all want to be loved and want to give love. How to get there is the confusing part!
Over the years, I have studied many different approaches to therapy. The most valuable lessons I learned about doing therapy is from the therapy I received. I have been a client intermittently since young adulthood. I experienced the pain of a family struggling with addiction and my parents subsequent divorce. I also experienced the difficulty of my own divorce. I had the challenges of single parenting. I now know the hardships and joy of co-creating a blended family.
I feel I have explored my own experiences in such a way that I have cultivated deep empathy. I understand the pain of relationships not working or ending. I also know the satisfaction and relief of finding one's way to a more complete understanding of oneself. Recovery is a matter of learning to listen differently, with a different awareness. I help provide the tools to help you find your own path towards recovery and resolution.
More Info About My Practice
*I am in the second level of training for Emotionally Focused Therapy: This is a process that has been clinically proven to be one of the most effective methods of couples therapy. It is a process that supports the therapist and the client to become adept at learning to listen and understand each other on a profoundly empathetic level.
* I am also an eager student of Mindfulness Based Therapy practices. I trained extensively in Hakomi therapy which is one form of mindfulness based therapy. This type of therapy helps you to slow down and learn to listen to yourself in a multitude of different ways.
* I have studied many different approaches to therapy. I feel my years of life and professional experience enable me to provide you with a feeling of being understood and supported.
*I am a BCBS provider and Medica, Health Partners, Aetna, Prefered One and many other insurances cover me in their out of network benefits, even out of state insurances. Every policy is different and I do have a billing person who will check coverage for anyone who wants to know their benefits.
*I charge 140.00 for 1 hour of therapy. I will sometimes provide a limited sliding fee.
I take cash, checks, all credit cards and I do provide billing services.
How Psychotherapy Can Help
Neuroscience is discovering that we are all creatures of habit. We can spend months, years investing in thought patterns that can unknowingly create negative, circular thinking. Often that interferes with being able to live life to the fullest, it can interfere with self esteem and decision making. Therapy is an opportunity to have your thought habits challenged, to learn how to think and feel differently about yourself and those important people in your life. A therapist is there to introduce new concepts and ways of seeing yourself. Many people can be very hard on themselves, unable to find compassion or to put mistakes in any kind of context that allows self acceptance. Therapy is the process of learning how to have compassion for oneself and others.
Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed
I am often struck by the courage it takes to come to therapy. I believe staying in denial or minimizing is often what helps us to be stuck in painful confusing situations. To take the initiative to trust another person with your innermost concerns and feelings and to be willing to step back and try new ways of being in relationship is a very positive attempt at creating more solid ground for oneself. Once more solid ground is established, there is often an increase in feeling more safe and secure in the world.
