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Approach to Therapy

While we all go through painful experiences in life, I believe that much of our suffering lies in how we relate to our own thoughts, emotions, and body throughout these trials.  When problematic ways of relating to oneself persist without awareness or understanding, they can deter us from living out our values, negatively influence our relationships, and ultimately lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression.  

As a clinical psychologist, my core philosophies around change center on the belief that healing begins with compassionate acceptance of who we are and the challenges that life has set before us - not the mere avoidance of pain. My approach to psychotherapy is primarily based in cognitive behavioral theory with a special focus on helping people develop the following:

1)  Non-judgmental awareness of limiting narratives and patterns of behavior

2)  Willingness to experience the breadth of what life offers to achieve a life of thriving

3)  Knowledge on how physical and mental health influence each other

4)  Critical consciousness around sociopolitical and historical influences that contribute

     to poor health; and decolonized views of psychological & physical well-being

5)  Committed action towards one's most important values

6)  Development of healthy and supportive communities and relationships

Throughout therapy, I work to maintain a stance of cultural humility to create a safe place where my clients can begin to understand and process painful emotions and experiences (be it physical, emotional, psychological, or racial) to heal from symptoms of anxiety/stress, depression, trauma, and addiction.

 

To this end, I utilize my training in a breadth of evidence-based cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and emotion-focused approaches/therapies, and weave in knowledge from my own practices of yoga and meditation to help individuals build a life that is inspired, joyful, and aligned with their true self. 

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Evidence-Based Treatments (EBTs) I specialize in:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - depression/anxiety; insomnia; chronic pain

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT)

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT)

  • Motivational Interviewing/Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MI/MET)

  • Brainspotting

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