I love working with individuals, couples, and families because I truly believe that a supportive and loving relationship/family is one the most amazing gifts we can give to ourselves, children, and loved ones.
Love is the strongest emotion we know. Intimate relationships can be the most meaningful yet the most challenging aspects of our lives. We get romantically involved - with idealized notions of how a couple should be - to later discover that human emotions and relationships are way more complex and ever changing. Shared interests and values only took us so far. Characteristics we once found attractive in our partner have become irritating; we inadvertently stumble into each other's childhood wounds; we resent that our needs are not being met; we react, fall into our usual difficult dynamic and question our compatibility.
We are not born knowing how to create and sustain a happy relationship or marriage. The great news is that relationships can and do improve. But most of us need guidance, support and practice to develop the necessary relational and communication skills. Couples therapy helps partners use their differences as opportunities for growth and connection. You don’t think twice about investing in training or education towards establishing a career. So why not invest in professional guidance to improve way you interact as a couple?
If you are married or have been with your partner for years, you may feel that a lot is on the line. Beyond your own feelings or your partner's, you may worry about your children, extended family, mutual friends, investments, home and pets. You may feel that you are not happy with the way things are but not unhappy enough to end the relationship.
If you are at the point where you feel painfully lost about how to connect with your partner or don’t know how to save your marriage and family, please know that there is help. Emotions can be confusing, but please know that wanting out of your pain may not be the same as wanting out of your relationship.
Healthy relationships contribute greatly to our quality of life and well-being. They help us to heal old wounds, provide support for personal growth and allow us to experience a sense of purpose, belonging, comfort and safety in the world. Healthy relationships may initially evolve out of strong chemistry, shared interests, and values. But they ultimately become dysfunctional without excellent communication skills - skills which allow partners to to work through inevitable misunderstandings, deepen emotional intimacy and increase relational responsiveness.
Are you looking to bridge the gaps and find some common ground? Are you hoping to be heard and heal relational wounds? Are you longing for your partner to open up? Or to offer a kind, loving response, regardless of how s/he feels? Would you like to engage one another with more honesty and care or learn how to attend to the space between you? Are you hoping for understanding versus a debate? Are you ready to build effective skills with which to strengthen your relationship or marriage for the years to come? I would love to help, please feel free to reach out.
In reconnecting couples through improving communication skills, resolving problems and strengthening intimacy. I focus on helping partners to better understand one another, to communicate more effectively and to make small specific agreements. I will ask about your goals as a couple and help each of you to express your feelings and needs more clearly. I will also support you in becoming emotionally attuned to one another which is crucial for a lasting and loving connection.
Working with families and blended families navigate through the challenges of parenting and co-parenting is another specialty I am passionate about.
I also specialize in working with survivors of trauma. I have worked with trauma survivors throughout my work as a therapist and am continually humbled by the tragedies folks can heal from. As a trained EMDR clinician and have seen the impact it can have on healing individuals, couples, and families dealing with PTSD and trauma. And how healing those old wound can bring loved ones closer together.
With 17 years within the mental health field working with children, preteen, teen, adolescent, parents, couples, and families I can help individuals and families build strong bonds in their most important relationships and rebuild trust, respect and connection.
Additionally, I work with clients experiencing a wide range of crisis issues and life transitions such as anxiety, abuse, eating disorders, marriage/divorce, new parents, PTSD, pre-marital counseling, co-parenting support for families dealing with divorce. I use treatment modalities that fit my clients needs and goals. Some of these modalities may include: solution-focused therapy, humanistic, family systems, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Do you experience conflict or lack of closeness in your relationship? Maybe your arguments go on and on without getting resolved, leaving you feeling lonely and further apart.
Is your child experiencing problems at home or at school? Are you struggling to understand what is troubling your child/teenager? Would you like parenting support and feel as though you and your partner aren't on the same page?
Do you get caught in self-defeating patterns that leave you feeling discouraged, hopeless, stuck, and it's starting to take a toll on your sense of worth and belonging? Are you feeling anxious or depressed?
I can provide relief and help you take steps forward towards hope, empowerment, and connection. I can help you reconnect, whether it's through a deeper sense of self and your dreams and goals or with your loved ones. I will help you discover what is most important to you. With a supportive and collaborative approach, I will help you explore feelings about yourself, your family, and relationships. You will be encouraged to move beyond what is blocking you and take the steps required to create lasting changes.
It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you.
I look forward to working with you!
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Depression
CA LMFT MFT85927