Problems I Treat

The problems I treat are often about feelings or thoughts or experiences that cause us pain and are difficult to talk about. With each person, therapy provides an opportunity to achieve real contact about these problems with another person willing to listen and wanting to understand. A sensitive approach that can contain the sometimes awkward and messy effort at connecting in a meaningful way requires a relationship that can accept the person as is. Each of us needs to believe that we are worthwhile and valuable as we are. The first step in developing this capacity is experiencing a relationship that provides an affirmation of oneself. The therapeutic relationship is meant to be a safe space to come as you are and for us to work together to make real contact with your thoughts and feelings. My job is to provide the kind of relationship that will help you connect and understand yourself in a way that will promote self-awareness, growth and change.

I work with young and older adults. For younger adults, the focus tends to be on identity issues and responding to problematic behavior by promoting emotional development. Whether the problems occur in the home, school, workplace, or someplace else, therapy often requires understanding their perspective of their troubles.  For older adults, the focus is more broadly on the problems of being in the world, and may manifest as shame, defensiveness, loneliness, insecurity, complacency, or a host of other issues that get in the way of taking care of ourselves. Therapy with younger or older adults may or may not make the problems go away. But what seems to be of great value is the felt experience of being with and feeling appreciated for what it is you are experiencing. In other words, feeling held and being known.

I also provide group therapy for adults. It is a therapy group for men and women, which addresses and explores relationship issues. The group aims to address such questions one might ask like, am I being understood, how do I impact others, and why do I feel so disconnected? The aim of the group includes bringing awareness to how our communication styles impact others and how this affects the quality of our relationships. We explore ways to manage and learn about our relational patterns by both participating and reflecting on our experiences as they occur in the group.

Please contact me for more information if you’re interested in individual or group therapy.