Psychotherapy
Therapy is a professional relationship intended to improve one’s quality of life. Depending on your circumstances, our work may aim to enhance your relationships, better cope with an experience, develop skill, overcome obstacles or more fully understand yourself.
What brings people to therapy?
People who come to see me want something in their lives to change or are trying to cope with changes—desired or not—that they are facing.
If you are thinking about beginning therapy, you likely are facing a difficult situation, struggling in a relationship, feeling emotional pain (grief, anger, depression or fear for example), or dealing with problematic thoughts or behaviors.
You may be feeling confused, overwhelmed or isolated about the situation. Perhaps you’ve tried to improve things on your own, using whatever skills, support and resources you have available.
Our relationships, careers, health, families, sexuality and even our own bodies can all be challenging. Yet, it is always possible to gain understanding and make sense of our experiences. Obstacles to love, satisfaction, wellness, respect and sexual fulfillment can be overcome when we understand our needs and develop better ways to meet them.
A significant percentage of my clients have endured abandonment, neglect, terror, violence or violation while growing up. They continue to suffer distressing, and often disproportionate, reactions when reminded of their past. Fortunately, we can develop more effective ways to cope with these thoughts, feelings and physical reactions, and new ways to live with painful memories.
How does therapy help?
In therapy, we will work together to foster change. You’ll learn to understand your feelings more fully and develop more ways to cope with them emotions, physical circumstances and situational challenges, sexual feelings and relationship patterns. It’s also possible to change behaviors that are problematic or interfere with your goals and satisfaction.
We can address beliefs that distort the way you think of yourself or that undermine your effectiveness and wellbeing. You’ll discover strengths and qualities you may not have previously recognized. As a result, your confidence, skill and self-compassion may also increase.
We will work together to reduce symptoms that are troubling you and to live more easily with the effects of your past. In important ways, our relationship can help you feel less isolated or alone as you face these challenges.
Whatever your reason for beginning therapy, the quality of your life can be improved when you know what to do. I welcome the opportunity to help you achieve those changes and to build a life that you consider personally meaningful.