There are many reasons that someone may choose to seek therapy for her or himself. It takes strength to come to that decision. For me as a therapist, building a connection with you is of vital importance and is integrated throughout our work together. One thing that I do to aide in the development of our connection is to invite you to share what your experience is of me. Through this process, I learn what you need to feel comfortable and connected. I am flexible in how I relate with you based on understanding your needs and feelings. This relational approach is just one of a variety of therapy methods that I use in my work. Some areas that I work with are: depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma history, compulsive behaviors, eating disorders, and life transitions (such as divorce, moving, beginning a family, a child leaving home).
Couples
Couples often seek therapy to assist with their communication or to address issues between them that feel “stuck”. As a therapist, I am actively engaged to listen with attention to how each person views things. I facilitate clearer communication so that each person feels heard by the other. I support each person in having awareness of and expressing his or her feelings in a safe environment. And I may assist people in exploring how their feelings become activated in the current relationship by examining family-of-origin dynamics.
Some areas that I work with are: communication difficulties, parenting stages, blended families, and feelings of betrayal.
Lesbian Couples Beginning a Family
Making the decision to begin a family is big. There are steps to this process that are unique to the lesbian community, such as who is going to get pregnant, what procedure you are going to use, and who else beyond the couple is going to be involved. With all of the steps, there are emotions. And partners may feel differently from one another. As a therapist, I support both partners in recognizing their own feelings and understanding their partner’s feelings so that they maintain connection throughout the process. I have experience working with lesbian couples throughout the stages from decision-making to pregnancy to birth and beyond.