Specialties
I know that struggles related to infertility, third party reproduction, perinatal/postpartum issues and conflict in relationships can cause you to feel overwhelmed, isolated, frustrated and helpless. It may feel that no one truly understands your pain and sadness. Friends and family aren’t able to give you the support you need, and you feel lost, not recognizing yourself or the life you are living. My role is to help you learn how to identify, process and manage your feelings and emotions, and develop ways to thrive. I believe in an integrative approach to treatment and take into account the whole person (mind, body, spirit).
Approach
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems is a an evidence based model of therapy that focuses on our inner experiences. IFS is based on the belief that we are composed of many parts, and it uses the strengths of our parts to care for the parts of us that have been hurt in the past. By identifying and caring for the different parts of who we are, we can heal the hurts and pain of the past and better care for ourselves. By acknowledging our parts, meeting the needs of parts that were injured in the past, and gaining awareness and access to our innate self, we can create healthy relationships and connections. IFS therapy is primarily focused on exploring the connections between past and present patterns of thinking, feeling, and doing.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on thoughts that exist in a person’s unconscious mind. The goal is to find the root cause of the problems. Clients talk about thoughts and feelings that come to mind while the therapist helps identify behavior patterns and feelings that have developed in the unconscious mind. Once these thoughts and behaviors are identified, the therapist helps the client understand how the patterns affect their life and help them to develop healthy coping skills.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy is a time limited model (12-16 weeks) that focuses on a person’s relationships. IPT is based on the belief that a person’s mental health improves when they strengthen the relationships with the people in their life; when they build a support system.
IPT focuses on the present situation. Past experiences are discussed, but are not the main focus. The therapist helps the patient identify sources of their emotions and develop ways to better express them. A large part of IPT is teaching communication skills that assist in building relationships, developing stronger social support, and increasing confidence.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
ART is a type of therapy with specific steps, techniques, and protocols that are followed to address various problems and symptoms. ART works directly to change the ways distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so they do not trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. ART does this through the use of rapid eye movements similar to eye movements that occur during the dream stage of sleep. ART uses a technique called Voluntary Memory/Image Replacement, where distressing, images are replaced with calming images. It is not necessary to discuss the trauma in this process. The goal of ART is to eliminate or reduce the physical and/or emotional reactions to traumatic memories.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an evidence and experience based therapy. It focuses on being present and in the moment; aware of our surroundings and observing our thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness is about living in the moment, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It can reduce stress and anxiety, decrease depressive symptoms and increase insight and awareness of ourselves and those around us. Mindfulness can be transformative; it allows us to see our thoughts and emotions as just thoughts and emotions, not absolute truths. We begin to realize that although an emotion may be distressing, it is temporary, it does not define us, and it will pass. In mindfulness we stop identifying with the thoughts and emotions, and our mind stops being in control of strong feelings and thoughts.
“You don’t have to see the staircase, just take the first step”
"Unkown"