I believe we all want to understand ourselves and make sense of our thoughts and feelings, especially when we haven’t experienced the full range of our emotions. You might feel stuck in self-defeating relationship patterns or by fears of failure at work. You may be looking for ways to express your experience and speak up for yourself. You may have spent a lifetime denying your needs and realize that certain ways of relating and being that you picked up during childhood are no longer serving you.

Therapy can provide a safe and non-judgmental space where you can notice and explore these patterns. We will cultivate a working relationship based on trust, respect, honesty, and empathy. Looking at everything that led you to this moment, you can make different choices and meaningful changes in your life. I can help you pay attention to things you may not know or have not noticed. We will explore what may be internally hidden, feels overwhelming, or confusing, and examine the larger systems and social stressors impacting your life.

I sincerely believe you have the answers within. We will strive to welcome all parts of yourself into our work, leading to greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and emotional well-being. Over time, you may feel more in control of your reactions and able to manage life’s responsibilities and obstacles. Together we will explore your thoughts and feelings at a pace that connects you with who you truly are and frees you from old scripts and patterns. 

I work with people who experienced complex trauma, intergenerational trauma, family of origin issues, loss and grief, depression, anxiety, self-injury, and chronic suicidal ideation. I have considerable experience working with adults with histories of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and clergy sexual abuse. While I have additional training in EMDR and somatic approaches to trauma recovery, I primarily work from a psychodynamic perspective because this allows us to get to the root of your distress and produces transformative change in the relationship with yourself and with others. 

Social justice and social change are essential to human development and growth. I became a psychotherapist after transitioning from decades of working in public finance, city planning, and community organizing.  Recently, I worked for a law firm representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse in civil litigation, following years of serving as a clinical supervisor for a rape crisis center. I enjoy working with those involved in social change, policy, and advocacy work.