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My approach to psychotherapy is first and foremost:

• Relational & connected

• Attentive

• Collaborative

• Humanistic

• Person-Centered

• Empathic

• Compassionate

• Validating

• Experiential

• Attachment theory-based

• Trauma-informed

• Focused on changing root-cause neurobiological & relational systems 

       rather than focusing on symptom management

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... and also:​

• Strengths-based

• Empowering

• Encouraging

• Non-pathologizing

• Grounded in scientific research & theory (particularly neuroscience)

• Holistic & Somatic

• A balanced dynamic of leading and following 

• A balance of organic and professional

• A balance of direct and sensitive

• Gender-affirming

• Culturally sensitive & informed by cultural humility

• Psychoeducational

• Depth oriented & psychodynamic

       (processing the subconscious and childhood core experiences)

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... while at times my approach can be:​

• Lovingly challenging

• Playful & humorous

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About my Methods:

The two primary theories of humanistic experiential psychotherapy I use are:

• Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for relationships

• Mindfulness-based experiential therapy (MBET) for individual & group therapy:

  • Hakomi and Re-Creation of Self (RCS) models

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In EFT, I work with relationships to:

• Identify and step out of subconscious feedback systems

• Communicate more clearly

• Respond more effectively

• Work as a team

• Increase engagement and availability

• Repair relationship injuries & resolve relationship traumas

• Strengthen bonds and intimacy

• Stabilize and naturalize more effective relationship patterns & strategies

• Develop secure attachment

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In MBET, I work with clients in collaborative mindfulness to:​

• Stimulate neuroplasticity (changing the wiring of the brain)

• Expand the possibility of positive life experiences

• Disrupt unhelpful habit patterns

• Integrate parts of self and experience more wholeness

• Explore the subconscious mind including:

  • Thoughts and core beliefs

  • Somatic (bodily) experiences, sensations, postures and impulses​

  • Emotions

  • Memories (particularly early childhood memories)

• Explore parts of self

• Explore mind-states 

• Role play to integrate new possibilities or deeply explore habit patterns

• Explore relationship dynamics with the therapist​

• Regulate and resolve traumatic feelings

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I also incorporate techniques and ideas from:

• Gottman method

• PACT (the psychobiological approach to couples therapy)

• Relational life therapy

• NVC (nonviolent communication/compassionate communication)

• Systems theory

• IPNB (Interpersonal neurobiology)

• Polyvagal Theory

• Gestalt

• Somatic experiencing

• Psychodrama

• Three pillars model of attachment treatment & IPF (ideal parent figure) protocol

• Feminist theory

• Existential psychotherapy philosophies

• NLP (neurolinguistic programming)

• EMDR (eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing)

• Multicultural Counseling Theory

• IFS (internal family systems)

• CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)​