Areas of Specialization
I desire to assist those feeling trapped, damaged, or overwhelmed regain their optimism and meaning in life.
I strongly desire to assist individuals dealing with long-term issues. I find it incredibly rewarding to witness their progress throughout their therapy process. Through my experiences, I have understood that these patients benefit from diverse approaches. To meet these challenges, I have studied trauma-informed care and learned a variety of treatment techniques tailored to this population. My methods are informed by my natural inclination towards mindfulness and philosophy and my training in Existential-Humanistic Therapy.
My Specializations
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Early in my career, I recognized the essential nature of addressing an individual's trauma history if therapy was to be successful. Since that time, I have undertaken a Post-Masters Certificate in Trauma Studies from Chestnut Hill College and have taken additional training in both the treatment of Complex PTSD and mindfulness-based approaches to treatment. Lastly, I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, indicating that I have attended several required courses to expand my knowledge base.
-
Chronic Health Conditions
As a trauma-informed psychotherapist, I recognize that the experience of chronic health conditions like Autoimmune Disorders, IBS, and Heart Disease can often be a unique type of trauma. I work with patients to manage related symptoms by combining CBT techniques with Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction. I took several health psychology courses during my graduate training to learn specific strategies for working with these conditions. Additionally, my training in humanistic therapy has been very valuable when working with these patients.
-
Life Changes
I love working with people navigating various life changes. I often combine practical skill-building with CBT, exposure-based therapy, and nonjudgmental feedback. Having experience across different age groups, I derive immense joy from empowering individuals to embark on transformative journeys ranging from graduating high school to early careers.
-
Men's Issues
Bringing a personal perspective to a highly emotionally charged topic, I have experience helping individuals navigate issues ranging from relationship stressors to masculinity and ED.
Treatment Areas
Anxiety
Trauma
Depression
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Infertility
Abuse Survivors
Chronic Illness
PTSD
Chronic Pain
Existential Crisis
Treatment Approaches
Existential-Humanistic Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Trauma Focused-Psychotherapy
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Techniques
Person-Centered
Psychodynamic Therapy
Feminist Therapy
My Therapeutic Principles
-
Trauma-informed psychotherapy is an approach to therapy that recognizes the pervasive impact of trauma on individuals and their mental health. This approach involves creating a safe and supportive environment that validates the individual's experiences and promotes their sense of meaning and empowerment. Trauma-informed therapists prioritize building a strong therapeutic alliance with their patients and emphasize the importance of self-care as well as establishing a greater sense of safety. They also recognize the need to be attuned to the individual's unique needs and triggers and employ a range of evidence-based interventions to help patients process and heal from traumatic experiences.
-
Existential-humanistic therapy is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of the individual's subjective experience and self-awareness in the therapeutic process. This approach is based on the belief that individuals have an inherent capacity for self-discovery, growth, and meaning-making and that therapy should focus on supporting and empowering individuals to tap into these inner resources. Existential-humanistic therapists work with patients to explore their values, beliefs, and attitudes towards life, and help them to develop a deeper understanding of their unique identity and purpose. This approach also values the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative and authentic partnership between the therapist and the patient.
-
Person-centered therapy is a form of talk therapy developed by psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940s. This approach emphasizes the importance of creating a non-judgmental and supportive therapeutic relationship, in which the patient is encouraged to explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences in a safe and empathetic environment. Person-centered therapy is grounded in the belief that individuals have the capacity for self-awareness, self-direction, and personal growth, and aims to facilitate this process by promoting self-exploration, self-acceptance, and self-actualization.
-
DBT is a therapeutic framework that was created by psychologist Dr. Marsha M. Linehan. Since its formation, it has been used to address a wide range of mental health issues, making it a versatile approach. The key concept at the heart of DBT is dialectics, which acknowledges that opposing forces can coexist and lead to growth. This forms the foundation of DBT, which blends acceptance and change strategies to promote emotional regulation and improve interpersonal effectiveness.
-
MBSR is an effective and evidence-based method for managing stress and achieving inner peace. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn developed this approach, which incorporates mindfulness meditation, gentle yoga, and awareness practices to help individuals become more present and less reactive to stressors in their lives. With MBSR, you'll learn to observe your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment, gaining a better understanding of yourself and how you react to stress. By practicing MBSR, you can develop valuable skills to decrease anxiety, improve focus, and enhance your overall well-being when faced with life's challenges.
“Recovery can only take place within the context of relationships; it cannot occur in isolation.”
— Judith Lewis Herman
