APPROACH TO THERAPY

I provide somatically integrated, emotion-focused, contemporary psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy for adults, couples, parents, adolescents, and emerging adults. My theoretical orientation is pluralistic and incorporates a variety of contemporary approaches to psychoanalysis. It is an approach tailored to meet the unique needs of each therapeutic dyad. These approaches include self-psychological, object relational, contextual phenomenological, neuropsychoanalytical, interpersonal/relational, Freudian, and neo-Kleinian perspectives.

I approach my work with warmth, empathy, curiosity, and with a deep respect for people’s differences. I am fluent in 4 languages and can offer therapy in Spanish.

I am dedicated to the study and practice of psychoanalysis, in addition to my practice of psychotherapy. Psychoanalysis offers the opportunity to know and relate to oneself and another, in a manner facilitating a deeper and more expansive exploration of the unconscious, as well as a present-time working through of early implicit and historical ways of experiencing the self, others, and the world. The higher frequency model and the titrated, subtly-attuned, and deeply relational approach of contemporary psychoanalysis is a treatment of choice for those of you who may be interested in an experience with more continuity and in a depth exploration of your selves.

My psychotherapeutic work is grounded in Trauma Theory, Complexity Theory, Attachment Theory, Contemporary Psychoanalytic Theory, Dissociative Theories and research in Neuroscience. I can integrate models of structural dissociation and ego/self-state work in combination with EMDR when useful for trauma reprocessing.

As a trained Body Psychotherapist, I am open to the use of techniques that can exploit the mind-brain/body interface to promote neurophysiological reorganization and plasticity. Some of these include: Somatic Experiencing, Somato Respiratory Integration, and EMDR.

Although different from my basic approach to the mind, I am open to using manualized, behavioralist skills and techniques informed by Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, ACT, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when helpful.

I am happy to discuss any of these approaches with you as part of a collaborative process.

 

AREAS To consider as part of a whole person, complexity Approach

Trauma and PTSD

Dissociation

Mood: depression, irritability, anger, bipolar presentations.

Anxiety: chronic worry, fears, panic, stress coping and physiology, phobias, obsessive thoughts, rumination, OCD.

Relationships/Interpersonal Skills and Effectiveness: communication skills, emotional intimacy, social anxiety, loneliness, boundary work, codependency

Work and Academic Functioning: performance anxiety, performance enhancement, underachievement, career goals, academic goals.

Stage of Life Transitions/Adjustments

Emerging into adulthood

Personal Growth and Development

Grief and Loss

Self Esteem

Parenting Problems and Skills

ADHD and Impulsivity Problems

Mind-Brain/Body interface and neurophysiological approaches to psychotherapy