Hi, thanks for visiting.
Why Therapy?
I provide talk therapy to individuals, couples and families who are having trouble communicating, or dealing with anxiety, frustration, anger or grief.
I would enjoy the opportunity to listen to you describe your life and relationship challenges, and if you’re interested, to help you build empathy, respect, and forgiveness for your frustrated self. I believe in problem solving, skill building and emotional communication, and I do not believe judgment has a place in therapy. I believe mistakes are not to be ashamed of but are actually the catalysts for growth. And I believe there is a difference between having expectations and setting boundaries–we cannot and should not control those around us, but we can be very clear about how we will respond to behaviors.
Background
Moved to the Valley in 1982, attended Central High School in downtown Phoenix. Scientific and technological education from universities in California and Chicago. Five years working towards curing diseases with genetics and molecular biology. Twenty years of experience building technology solutions to improve how we communicate. Graduate school in Arizona to learn how to provide effective therapy. Five years of diverse therapeutic work supporting foster youth, serving teens as a high school social worker, and working with adults and teens as an inpatient and outpatient therapist. Significant experience providing therapy to clients with traumatic histories.
Therapeutic Experience
Providing family, couples and 1:1 counseling to hundreds of independent outpatient clients and patients of an inpatient behavioral health hospital. Experience assisting with anxiety, frustration, anger, communication challenges, grief and loss, eating disorders, OCD, and other life challenges. Significant therapeutic experience working with individuals with special needs including those presenting with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Have worked with hundreds of patients with mood disorders, aggression and low tolerance to distress. Worked in conjunction with psychiatrists to explain the pros and cons of pharmaceutical solutions to mental and behavioral health challenges.
Approach
I listen. I have respect for my clients and their decisions. I meet you where you are in life, not where someone thinks you should be. I help break down life challenges into simple units that can be tackled a week or two at a time. I work with you to explore all options available, help you see all sides of each potential solution, and then instead of giving advice, I support your choices and help you evaluate when to stay the course and when to make changes. I believe in solutions based on evidence, and I read scientific papers to learn new ways of tackling mental and emotional challenges.
Personal
I get called “The Gentle Giant” a lot. I stay calm under pressure, in my personal life and at work. I am open-minded and believe the world is more interesting when people pursue diverse interests, approaches, and relationship styles. I believe life should be fun, and that even tough tasks like therapy work better with an occasional, appropriate infusion of humor. I am fiercely loyal and will “fight” for my clients, friends and loved ones. I believe the best way to “fight” for yourself is to lead with respect, to express clear boundaries, to enforce them with kindness, patience and without judgment, and to wear down hostility and frustration with kindness and persistence. I believe you can do this, and I believe I can help.