My Approach

I view the issues that prompt people to come to therapy in a broad context. This includes how someone shows up in their relationships with family, friends, and significant others. Some common patterns people engage in when tension is high include:

• Becoming distant or avoidant
• Being overly responsible and helpful
• Blaming others or expecting others to take responsibility for self
• Become focused on another person
• Conflict

Part of the work involves observing what you tend to do when under stress, and working on regulating and responding in more thoughtful ways.

I work with people who are interested in how they relate to others, particularly members of their family, and want to work on changing patterns. I believe progress happens from efforts the person puts in between our meetings, and is unlikely to occur through our conversations alone.

I think a broad, sustained effort to be present and accounted for during important life events, and to show up in more thoughtful, authentic, and less emotionally-reactive ways can benefit both the individual and those around them. Anxiety is contagious, and one person managing it just a little bit better can be calming to everyone. I see our relationships as one of the main places where we can grow and work on ourselves, and I support people who are up for that kind of work. I think such an effort can be helpful for a variety of life challenges.