Special Interests and Expertise

• Relationship issues
• Chronic medical illness
• Therapy groups

The Value of Therapy and Support

Therapy can open new doors, make room for deeper connections with others and help a person understand how to enjoy a more satisfying life.  I believe deeply in the healing power of therapy, and feel fortunate to help people make changes that bring them more comfort and joy.

For 28 years I have worked with people who want to make changes in their lives through individual, couples or group therapy.  I encourage clients to discover what they want from their important relationships and help them learn how to express their needs effectively.  This can increase confidence, self-esteem and satisfaction with life choices.  I specialize in work with adults who are dealing with life transitions, relationship challenges, chronic medical illness, or couples issues.

My approach is heavily influenced by my belief in the importance of lovingkindness and compassion, not only for others, but for oneself.

INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

I offer supportive individual psychotherapy that focuses on clarifying the issues you want help with and helping you make the changes you want in your life. My style is warm, and interactive.  I am guided by my belief that most of us have our own answers but we may need assistance in learning how to trust our own judgment. I draw on a variety of techniques depending on need and the issues you want to deal with.

COUPLES THERAPY

Working with your partner in therapy can deepen intimacy, create greater understanding of each other and teach tools for having a more meaningful relationship. Couples therapy is an opportunity to look at what is getting in the way of having the loving feelings that are sometimes lost or put aside. Therapy can include guiding couples to agree on ways to keep the richness of the connection they enjoyed early in the relationship, or helping them decide whether and how to remain connected.  This kind of therapy creates greater clarity and mutual understanding.

Theoretical orientation

I draw on a variety of theoretical approaches and techniques, depending on the type and needs of each individual.  My primary approach is psychodynamic, with control mastery theory, which focuses on individuals' strengths and desires to change old patterns. It is important to understand the major influences in your life and to focus on how personal history and past relationships affect current life and choices.

Another therapy view is a systems perspective.  Systems theory encourages us to look at each individual within the context of their history, culture, support systems and values. 

Therapy works best when there is a good match between the therapist and client, so the client is comfortable being honest about what they want to change, or to learn about themselves. In starting therapy it helps to learn about a client's  life history and find out what self knowledge is most important to them. Therapy is an investment in many ways.  Throughout, I work to help clients let me know what is and isn't working in therapy.  

GROUP THERAPY

Group therapy is a powerful way for people to learn about themselves and practice making changes in how they relate to and experience others in their lives. To learn more about groups in general, please read my article The Healing Power of Groups and see the descriptions of my therapy groups.

"I want to join you without invading.
Appreciate you without being judgmental,
Love you without clutching,
Love you without demanding,
Leave you without guilt,
Criticize you without blaming,
And help you without insulting,
If I can have the same from you,
Then we can truly meet and enrich each other."
— Virginia Satir

"No matter how close two people may be, there will always be infinite differences. And a wonderful growing up side-by-side can occur. If they learn to love those differences, so that each can see the other whole against the sky. A good marriage is where each is the protector of the other's solitude." — Goethe

Virginia Satir and Goethe quotes are used with the permission of Virginia Satir's publisher, Bob Spitzer, Science and Behavior Books, Inc. personal communication, 2008. These quotes are taken from I'd Give My Life! A Journey by Folk Music, Eric Darling, page 279, Science and Behavior Books, Inc. 2008.