From the first time we talk, you can expect a very warm welcome from me. I know that you are reaching out at a time when life is completely upside down. I want you to know that I see your suffering and I am here to help. You do not have to go through your challenges alone.
Our First Meeting
At first, we will have a brief phone call, to see if I offer the kind of help you are looking for. If we decide to move forward, an initial, free, phone consultation will be scheduled which will take about an hour. During this call, we will dive more deeply into why you are looking for therapy right now, and I will tell you about how I work. As we talk, we will move through a decision tree, pausing to reflect and mindfully consider moving forward in the discussion. It is important that we are a good match for therapy, so I want to us to get to know each other well, before you invest your time and financial resources.
Our Sessions
All our therapy sessions will take place online through a secure video platform. We will start our work together reviewing policies and procedures, to make sure that we are on the same page about our professional relationship. Don’t worry, though, we will also start the therapy work right away, as we layer in any questions or clarifications about your documentation.
Setting Goals
Once our therapy gets rolling, we will take a period to determine the direction we would like treatment to go. After this assessment period, we will set goals for your treatment, together. I want to make sure that your unique needs for therapy are being met. We will regularly review goals to assess our progress, to see if it makes sense to continue with our goals, modify or change them, or prepare to end our time together.
Family Therapy
If you are parents who have opted for family therapy, we will spend the first hour or so of your 90-minute session in a parent coaching therapy session. During this time, we will work to build your own self-regulation by creating more safety in your nervous system, growing your capacity for mindful reflection, and learning brain-based parenting tools and strategies. Then, we will invite your children into a family session, where you will receive hands-on coaching from me, in real-time, as you practice using your new parenting skills and we engage in mindfulness activities together.
My Approach
- My approach in therapy comes from the interpersonal neurosciences (the science of relationships) and polyvagal theory (the science of the nervous system). This means that we are going to be working from a brain-based treatment perspective. You will learn so much about the way that brains work. Understanding more about your brain will help you build more self-compassion and greater appreciation for the suffering of others. We will cultivate this self-kindness with strategies that help with emotional regulation, connection, and a greater feeling of safety in your nervous system.
- A portion of our work will be movement-based, as we grow your mind-body connection and awareness. This work comes from the fields of occupational therapy and kinesiology. It will include primitive reflex integration movements and strategies to grow and strengthen areas of the brain that are sensitized to stress or are underdeveloped. After all, movement was our very first language. It makes sense that your nervous system learns better when movement is involved. We will combine your movement exercises with reframing the negative beliefs you have about yourself with more positive, affirming thoughts. Thoughts that more accurately reflect your authentic, inner goodness.
- When you work with me, I am dedicated to creating safety in our relationship. I am always open to feedback and will regularly ask how you feel things are going in our therapeutic relationship. I have a super small ego and value your input. I want to make sure your therapy is going in the right direction and you feel like your needs are being met. Your perspective of our work together helps to make me a better therapist.
I'm Excited to Meet You!
I want you to know that I will be on this journey with you, for as long as it makes sense to do so. I will meet you where you are and challenge you to grow. I am extremely dedicated to helping my clients decrease their suffering and travel this journey of life with greater calm, connection, and safety. I am excited to meet you and hear your story. WELCOME!