For 20 years I’ve been helping people to heal from trauma, childhood abuse and neglect, and the other adverse life events that often shape their self-esteem and how they feel about life in general. I’ve been told by patients and other clinicians that I’m gifted at what I do. I don’t know if that’s true. I do know I have a passion for being a therapist that’s rewarded daily by watching people transform: shedding their symptoms of depression, anxiety or PTSD; starting to feel better about themselves; making better life decisions; and having healthier, more fulfilling relationships. If I do have this gift, I don’t think it’s coincidental that I was introduced to EMDR (see About EMDR) while still in graduate school, completing the training shortly thereafter. I was quickly able to incorporate into my practice a therapy that actually worked, often quickly – with sound research to support my own experience. I became Certified in EMDR in 2002, and an EMDR International Association Consultant in 2017.
Though our thinking, our feelings, and how we behave are influenced by our earlier life experiences, we are all unique individuals with unique histories, stories and needs. In recognizing this, I work to treat people individually, employing an eclectic array of interventions that have proven to be effective.
During my years as a therapist in a variety of settings, I’ve treated a broad range of clients across a wide socio-economic, ethnic and cultural spectrum. As I was fortunate enough to have an abundance of varied life and work experience before becoming a therapist (see About Me), I know I can relate to my clients in ways I could not had I gone directly from undergraduate studies to graduate school, and then into practice.
I know it can be intimidating to make an appointment and go to that first session – especially for people seeing a therapist for the very first time – which is why I offer a free phone or face-to-face consultation to those who request it. (See Contact/Appointments).
