How I Work

I believe the overall goal of therapy is to restore one's innate healing capacity and develop resilience. The pathway to achieve that differs with the individual and family and the unique needs and strengths of the individual.

Young children do not have the ability or power to make changes independently of the relationships that nurture them. For that reason, when I work with young children I will see you and your child together. As your child develops more capacity for independence I may see him or her individually. This can include meeting with you and your child for part of the session, as well as with you at a different time to discuss issues best covered without the presence of your child. Children use art and play as innate forms of expression to explore, express and experiment. Therefore I use art, play and stories as an integral part of therapy to support the child's healing process in ways that are meaningful for them. 

Because you are the expert on your children, you have knowledge vital to understanding what direction to take in the therapy process. As a result, I find it essential to learn about your child from you, and help you discover and develop parenting practices that uniquely meet the individual needs of your child, your child's particular struggles and your strengths as a parent. 

When working with adults, my approach is to learn about your journey including your family history and life experiences and how they have shaped your perspective, your body's responses and your life path. My intention is to build enough safety, trust and comfort to be a guide in exploring your patterns of both pain and of healing and bring awareness to the survival strategies which have helped you cope with what has happened in your life. While we tend to think of the brain as our primary source of information, in fact our bodies send even more information to our brains. Placing the primary focus on our thoughts limits the capacity to heal as it neglects a much richer source of information- the sensations present in our bodies. To enhance and deepen healing and build resilience, it is essential that our bodies are invited into the process.