Learn how therapy with me works.
I approach therapy from an anti-oppressive, culturally-humble, justice-oriented, systematically-aware framework.
Initial session
In your first session—which lasts 75 minutes—we’ll review intake paperwork and begin to get to know one another. You’ll begin to share your needs and goals for our work together, and we’ll discuss how our partnership may help you achieve those. Every subsequent session will be 55 minutes, and I recommend we initially meet weekly the first eight weeks before determining what meeting frequency will best foster your goals.
Following sessions
We’ll spend our time together focusing on your emotions and stressors, examining the thoughts that result from those, and understanding what solutions may help create inner peace and balance, which is a prerequisite to external change. We’ll work collaboratively to increase your insight and then design goals in alignment with your values.
We’ll consider what’s happening in your life–and, to the extent you want, the broader world. We’ll explore whether what previously happened in your life (or your family’s past) informs your habits, reactions, and interpretations of what’s going on now. Because I advocate understanding your experience in the context of the community, culture, and society in which you live, we’ll also look at how you’ve consciously (or not) integrated or internalized specific histories or messages in your narratives. To help you move forward, we’ll envision the future you want and cultivate strategies that will help you create and move toward that future.
My approach
In my approach, I’m empathetic, warm, and caring; I’m also direct, analytical, and pragmatic. I seek not only to serve as a witness to your journey but as a companion during our time together.
Therapists often gravitate toward a specific therapeutic orientation. If you’re familiar with therapy jargon, I’m trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy but more integrative in my practice. I incorporate elements of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), mindfulness therapies, relational therapy, feminist therapy, and narrative therapy. Also informed by my training and background in yoga, I encourage folks to attend to (or listen to) their bodies to identify sources of stress and discomfort. A lover of knowledge and ideas, I’m always learning to ensure I’m as effective in my work with you as possible.
Legal requirements
By law, I am also required to include a copy of my Notice of Privacy Practices on my website. You may view that here.
Current clients may access the client portal here.