Why a therapist? Why now? Why me?
Usually it takes a fair amount of time for someone to make the decision to call a therapist. Some people have to overcome the belief that going to a therapist means ‘I’m crazy’. Or that ‘I’m weak’. Or maybe you were taught ‘not to show your dirty laundry to others’. The decision to call is likely rooted in the fact that there is something or several things in your life that you would like to change or understand. Something just doesn’t feel right. It could be your relationships; a change in your business life; old traumas that are creating disturbances in your present life; or that voice in your head that is critical and self sabotaging.
I can help you identify these troublesome feelings and transform the negative voice to a positive one that is ripe with choice.
GENERAL PRACTICE – Psychotherapy
My practice with clients is primarily informed by the basic principles of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. IFS was developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. The Center for Self Leadership describes IFS as a “clear, non-pathologizing, and empowering method of understanding human problems, as well as an innovative and enriching philosophy of practice that invites both therapist and client to enter into a transformational relationship in which healing can occur.” At the core of this model is the belief that we all have a ‘Self’, which in other philosophies or spiritual practices, has been called names such as ‘higher power’ or ‘god within us.’ This belief that we all have a Self, along with the understanding that all aspects of our personality are protective, no matter the amount of chaos they create for us, immediately creates a compassionate understanding and respect for the client’s inner world. Developing a relationship with all of your protective parts, be they anger, addiction, or an eating disorder, begins the healing process. All our parts have positive intentions, but, sometimes those parts react to triggers in the outside world in a less than helpful way. Our past can invade our present. When we really get to know everything about how, why, and when these parts developed, we get to choose our response instead of having a knee jerk reaction to the trigger.
Who are my clients?
- Men and women, ages 18 – seniors,
- Heterosexual and LGBTQ individuals
- couples – heterosexual, same sex, transgender