Therapeutic Issues

While not a complete list of presenting issues I treat, these are problems that I have significant experience helping clients navigate:

Childhood Trauma

I have worked with many adult clients who feel frustrated by the degree of impact they experience from childhood mistreatment.

In spite of your desire to "get over it," there may be layers of protection that prevent you from moving forward emotionally with life in the present. I offer respect for your process and honor the pace that you need to unpack and redefine what trust feels like in relationships.

Whether you experienced the betrayal of sexual abuse, the chronic misattunement of a parent who could not meet your needs, or some other early trauma, I can support you to come home to yourself by observing and responding to your unique relational sensitivities. When and if appropriate for you, Brainspotting can play a key role in processing and resolving developmental trauma.

Family scapegoating

If you have been targeted as the "problem person" in your family of origin, I understand this pattern well. I have worked with many clients who feel misunderstood and trapped in this assigned role.

I can help you unravel what belongs to you and what is leftover from the mistreatment you experienced. You deserve to live a life defined by who you really are, and not by the painful projections of others.

Relationship distress

I have helped many clients understand their relationship problems and supported their decisions about whether to maintain, change, or end their relationships.

Often clients are aware that something is wrong in an important relationship, but do not fully understand the cause of their suffering. I have experience helping clients identify the problem and clarify how they want to proceed.

I also have specific training in identifying and understanding how personality disorders function in relationships. If you find yourself feeling like everything is your fault in your intimate partnership, family relationship, or friendship, you may be engaging with someone who has limited or damaging relational skills. While I cannot clinically diagnose these disorders, there are identifiable patterns of behavior that cause distress fairly predictably. I am able to validate your distress and support you to make informed decisions about your future.

Developmental trauma in couples' work

Many couples struggle with how one or both partners' early life experiences show up in present-day conflicts.

I help each of you to focus on your individual emotions, working toward self-understanding, compassion, and true accountability toward yourselves and each other. I identify when there are deeper issues that need extra attention and will often use Brainspotting to address these.

Because I work from a client-centered, emotionally-focused, and differentiation-based perspective, I attune to the specific dynamics I see in the couple relationship. I apply appropriate therapeutic pressure to show clients how they can transform their relationships by leaning into their best selves.