In my psychotherapy practice, I incorporate holistic, societal, ecological, and neurobiology perspectives.  Essential to my work are three underlying foundations.​​

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First is, our early life experiences impacted our adult beliefs and behaviors

How we were nurtured by parents and caregivers can contribute to how we respond to stress and return to safety and calm.  

How we have experienced and internalized these figures and relationships are crucial in shaping our adult selves and understanding of the world around us.

​So many of us had injurious childhood experiences and therefore have wounded childhood parts in us. They live deep within and then can come right up to the surface when we feel triggered, provoked, anxious, shameful. The key here is recognizing these parts of us and getting to know the fears that provoke them.

The reason for my focus on relational work is that too often our upbringings combined with society-at-large truly do not prepare and afford us to live relationally -- in integrity with full respect, compassion, boundaries, and accountability.​

In couples sessions, I encourage exploration and acknowledgement of each partner's own formative childhood and how it impacts your current relationship.

If you are seeking individual therapy outside of a romantic relationship, this work is a useful part of therapy and a valuable exploration.​

The second foundation is Somatic psychology which addresses mind and body.

In terms of our wellbeing, the body’s immediate and real-time sensations are as relevant as intellectual understanding and narrative beliefs. The Somatic approach is becoming widely appreciated and utilized, as research underscores how the body is integral to our experiences, trauma and healing.​

In couples therapy, this is key to deeply understanding and working with each partner’s own feelings and behavior -- in order to encourage and integrate this awareness as part of daily living.

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​​Lastly, all of our work together in session is in service of your relational growth. 

This takes dedication on your part and a commitment to practice the work and skills, moment-to-moment, in your everyday life. A set of good ideas without the accompanying repeated interactions with others falls short.​​

I primarily use a style of Somatic work pioneered by Stanley Keleman called Formative Psychology™ and Terry Real's Relational Life Therapy™ which is a model of relational skills.  ​If you wish to know more about any of these ideas, please don’t hesitate to ask and we can discuss your interest together.