Evidence-based psychotherapy for individuals and couples
Effective psychotherapy creates space for something new.
I work with clients to address anxiety, relationship stress, and life transitions using methods with the strongest research support. My approach is active, pragmatic, contextual, and supported by psychological science.
I provide psychotherapy via secure video to clients in California.
My role as a psychologist is to help you uncover and change patterns in your life that aren't working. I specialize in individual and couples therapy as a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist through ICEEFT, the governing body for Emotionally Focused Therapy.
I use gold-standard treatments to help you make changes. I work actively to offer new ways of looking at (often) old problems. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and related approaches to develop with you an understanding of how problems have come to be; how they've continued; and how to move in a different way. This work is collaborative, non-judgmental, and often enlightening.
In the first sessions, I conduct a comprehensive assessment to get to know you as a person, your goals in therapy, and your experience of any symptoms. The first few sessions are a good opportunity for us to chart a course of therapy and determine whether we will be a good fit to work together. Meeting also gives you a chance to interview me to determine whether I might fill your needs for therapy.
Throughout our treatment sessions, I focus on working with you to address our goals pragmatically and as efficiently as possible. In addition, I believe it's essential to explore what makes you, you. I aim not to merely address symptoms, but to also act as an expert consultant and help examine what might be underneath the problems you are experiencing. I'm most often interested in how family of origin, culture, and other important forces shape our lives.
My approach
Some courses of therapy are quite brief, focused, and behavioral, and some people benefit from more in-depth work to examine and change patterns that have developed over time. Psychotherapy requires commitment, engagement, and active work. Often, goals shift as we make progress. Past and current clients might tell you that I have a habit of "checking in" regularly about how our work is progressing; where we can improve; and where we're going.
My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and flexible. As a mental health provider, my priority is to cultivate a productive environment for you to move toward your goals.
Services
I provide psychotherapy as a licensed psychologist in the state of California (License #PSY 30227). All services are currently virtual via secure video.
Typically, sessions are 50 minutes once per week.
A typical course of therapy is 12-16 sessions. Some clients will benefit from a handful of sessions, while others will benefit from in depth work over time.
Common problems I work with..
Problems in relationships, especially repetitive conflict and disconnection.
Anxiety, including worry that is overwhelming.
Depression and disengagement, especially around difficult life events and transitions.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Problems with perfectionism, repetitive behaviors, getting stuck.
Some info about couples therapy
I am a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT). Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is one of the most well-researched and effective therapies for couples who seek closer and more stable connection.
EFT is so effective because it encourages couples to address the real issues underneath arguments. Together, we look for patterns in communication. Many couples get caught in a sort of ‘dance’. Often, one person might protest and the other withdraws and shuts down, but the dance can look different in every couple.
Types of therapy I use..
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals and Couples (EFT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
We look closely at these patterns; slow down; and see what is underneath the conflict. Often, arguments go unresolved because there isn’t time or space for our partner to fully ‘get’ us. We’re so busy defending our space, that it’s hard to see the other side.
This is where some of the deepening starts to happen: what are we really desiring in our relationships; and what are the ways we’ve learned to get what we need that might not be working now. For many of us, we run on scripts that started forming when we were young. Many have endured trauma and difficult relationships in the past that shape how we show up now.
Couples therapy is a lot like putting together puzzle pieces: We often feel better, and are more patient and understanding, when emotions and actions line up and make sense to us and our partners. Everything starts to fit into place more readily. Harder conversations and differences can feel more manageable.
Some people are eager to get started and lay it all on the table. Others are engaging in therapy for the first time and don’t know what to expect or where to begin. All of this is ok: my most frequent thought when learning about people is, “there’s got to be a good reason for that”.