My Approach
Strengths-Focused, Integrative and Evidence-Based Counseling
Strengths-Focused
I believe each person has multiple strengths, which I help clients to identify in therapy and use them to work towards their goals for change.
Integrative
I firmly believe there is no "one size fits all" form of treatment to be effective for each person. My wide range of experience has provided me with the opportunity to treat diverse populations within different therapeutic settings. Throughout my years in practice I have formulated a therapeutic style that feels authentic to myself and my clients. I tailor therapy to be individualized for each person by fusing different schools of therapy, making your treatment as effective and meaningful as possible.
Evidence-Based
I practice therapies that have extensive scientific studies and research showing evidence of successfully treating particular psychiatric conditions. I adapt techniques from these therapies for each client, creating a highly individualized treatment approach. I have extensive experience in practicing the following therapies:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the present issues that are bringing a client into therapy. CBT demonstrates that people can better manage their emotions by intervening in their thinking patterns and behaviors. CBT treatment is goal-directed and teaches effective coping strategies. Some of the issues CBT is empirically supported to treat are: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, family/relational problems, discomfort in social situations, and self-criticism.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is a type of Cognitive Behavioral therapy for individuals who struggle intensely in regulating their emotions and behaviors. It was originally developed for the treatment of suicidal adults who were diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, yet has been adapted with great success to treat other presenting issues. Some of these are self injurious adolescents, trauma, poor self-esteem and struggles with anger. DBT acknowledges there are issues in our lives we will benefit from by accepting and others to work towards changing. This treatment helps clients recognize when and how to work on acceptance versus changing. DBT teaches skills that fall under the following categories: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation. This treatment emphasizes that we are doing the best we can and, at the same time, we can benefit from learning tools to more effectively cope with our issues.