Services
About My Clients
The question I see on the face of almost every new client I meet is: Where do I even begin?! You likely have a complicated story to tell and need someone to help you untangle it, but WOW does that feel daunting. I work best with people who are interested in getting at the root of their problems. I do not approach my clients as needing to be "fixed". You are not an appliance. You are a person who likely went through a lot of hard experiences and need someone to help you heal.
My Background and Approach
The foundation of my practice is relationally psychodynamic, which is a fancy way of saying I want to help you understand the patterns in your life, help bring to the surface unconscious motivations that have led to self-defeating behaviors, and help you understand how your relationships have affected how you experience trust, safety, and connection. I use humor and metaphor, and value building a strong therapeutic alliance. I practice EMDR and use principles of IFS. I specialize in working with the LGBTQ+ population, particularly transgender and gender-expansive individuals, and help people with issues related to identity, life transitions, depression, anxiety, mood instability, chronic relational problems, health issues, existential crises, and the impacts of discrimination. I am in the dissertation phase of my PhD in clinical social work at Smith College and have served as a clinical director, supervisor, consultant, and teacher over the 13+ years I have been in practice.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
No one lives in a vacuum. We are all formed by the environments we live in and the relationships we have either have been born into or chosen. Many times, our environments and relationships did not support us adequately and, in many cases, caused great harm. Racism, Anti-queer hatred, or economic instability (to name a few) very well be the root of your troubles. I believe that in order for a person to heal, we have to understand the fullness of their life and the obstacles that are in the way of healing. We will find coping skills to help you adapt, but not without understanding what you are actually up against.