My overarching goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, warm and accepting space that clients may be trusting and open in. I accomplish this through establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with each client. In addition to the relationship, I take a client-centered, integrative approach. I strongly believe that each client is unique, with their own personal history and presenting problem or goal, which therefore requires a client-centered approach.

 

With a psychodynamic and interpersonal background, as well as extensive training in evidence-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), I conceptualize from a dynamic and relational lens taking into account the client's history and development, and past and present interpersonal experiences.  With this context, I promote curiosity and exploration to help foster insight into patterns and themes throughout their life. During this process and as needed, I implement CBT techniques to help change maladaptive thoughts and behaviors to more adaptive ones. I also incorporate distress tolerance, affect regulation, and mindfulness techniques from DBT. 

 

Specifically for children, I also use a client-centered, integrative approach.  In addition, I meet with parents/caregivers regularly (or as needed for adolescents) and provide parent-management strategies and psychoeducation to promote the child's progress in the home, school, and community.