Specializations
One thing that I have learned by doing this work is that emotional wounds are similar to physical wounds. That if given the right treatment, the healing will occur. Scars can fade. Open wounds can close and begin to heal.
Physical wounds need to be cleaned and a band aid. An emotional wound needs something else.
It needs attention and to be heard. If you ignore these wounds or bury them, an emotional wound can become ‘infected’ so to speak. That’s when you begin to have symptoms like depression or anxiety or a variety of other ways that the infection is identified. It needs to talk and tell you about the pain. It needs a compassionate and caring person to attend to it and help find ways to make it not hurt so much.
And that’s what I do as a therapist: identify ways to stop or lessen the pain, heal wounds so that people can function again as their best self.
I primarily provide in-person and on-line psychotherapy to adults, age 18 through later adulthood who are experiencing distress due to:
Depression
Grief / loss
Abuse or trauma
Anxiety
Mid-life and career issues, empty nest syndrome
Life transitions / changes
Parenting problems
Cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic health issues
Family or relationship stress
Why these specializations?
I choose to work with these specializations because they are so common and almost universal in terms of what humans deal with. I was drawn to work in these areas because that’s where I feel I can make the most difference.
Furthermore, I am not removed from life because I am a therapist. Over the years, I, like anyone, have struggled. I can say that I have been there, and I have had to overcome situations that have inspired me to want to help others through similar problems. I am a real person. I've struggled, I've suffered.. I'm not some educated, superior puff. I have had to pull myself out of some trenches and pits, and counseling helped me do that along the way. So I am someone who wants to help others like I have been helped.
I am absolutely convinced from what I have been through in life and what I have helped others do that there is help and hope for those with life's most common problems.
Women’s Story Group
I also offer a process-oriented, support group for women writers who are seeking a safe space for expression, connection, and support. Group members will have the opportunity to share their experiences and their wisdom with each other.
The purpose of this writer’s group is for members to recognize and honor the healing power of story in their lives, and to support and encourage one another to share the life stories that they are writing about. This is a chance to get to know other women writers and an opportunity for healing and growth, to get understanding for the common struggles that women writers face, and to learn how to cope with the pitfalls and challenges that writing about one’s life entails.
Often, our lives go by and the precious stories of our lives are buried and we’re left feeling isolated and alone. There might be fears and anxieties or shame involved. It is common for there to be a sense of sadness or loss. This group provides a space where members can talk about their experiences and life stories and also help one another work through writer’s block and the more technical or stressful aspects of the writing process.
When does the group meet?
Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm
Do you feel depressed or sad? Do you worry or have difficulties with anxiety or panic? Are you suffering and feel alone or hopeless? Many people do with so many crises happening at once in our world that things can be overwhelming. Even if you’re not worried about what you hear in the news, there may be other things you’re dealing with such as grief and loss, relationship or family conflict, or other major life transitions.
In my practice, I strive to honor diversity and to whenever possible encourage, support and stand up for those who face barriers and encourage a resistance mentality to any and all oppression and the myriad ways that create inequality between people.
Although the world is full of suffering,
It is also full of overcoming of it.
— Helen Keller