I believe our emotional struggles and problems stem from relationship. In other words, the anxiety or depression or discomfort we feel often comes from a lack of understanding ourselves and others. Becoming aware of and gaining understanding may not necessarily relieve the difficult feelings we feel, but it can offer context as well as a growing ability to usefully work with ourselves when things get hard.  This growth facilitates empowerment and greater capacity to live more fully into who we are.  The work of growth and change can be uncomfortable and even painful.  Untangling and loosening our defenses makes way for more freedom and choice with ourselves and in our relationships with others.

The counseling process is a relational alliance between therapist and patient where these struggles can be explored and pursued.  As a relational psychotherapist, I primarily draw upon a psychodynamic perspective and the concept of establishing a safe and secure place to help one discover and work with one’s greatest fears and deepest desires.

As we begin our work together, we will start by looking at the specific issues that brought you into therapy as well as understanding the nature of your relationships with important people in your life – past and present.  These relationships likely inform and influence your fears and desires.  We will look at how your way of relating impacts yourself and the relationships around you, with the ultimate goal to restore hope and freedom in you and your relationships.