“In wisdom gathered over time
I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.”

–Ansel Adams

How I Work

I provide a warm and welcoming space in which to explore the challenges you are having. We will work collaboratively as you talk about the difficulty you are having as well as what you would like to gain from therapy. You will also have the opportunity to process thoughts and emotions as they come up as well as develop (or hone) both your strengths as well as your inner resources with my assistance. Part of therapy also entails venturing outside your comfort zone by learning new skills and being open to therapeutic suggestions that can complement the therapy process, such as book recommendations or things to try outside of session. The underlying goal in my work with all clients is to guide you to a place of healing that includes self-compassion, self-awareness, and self-care.

About Attachment Wounds

Attachment is the ability to form healthy emotional bonds in our relationships. The attachments you experience (or don’t experience) in childhood paves the way for how you experience relationships throughout your life into adulthood as well as setting the tone for your overall well-being.

Attachment wounds left unresolved usually show up in the form of depression, anger, feelings of emptiness, loneliness, addiction to drugs or alcohol, codependence, childhood emotional neglect (CEN), relationships that don’t have a healthy “give and take,” and trauma connected to grief/loss of a loved one. You don’t have to go through this alone. I specifically work with adults struggling with these difficulties as well as those that experience complicated grief from a sudden loss (ie, suicide loss survivors).

Codependence

We will explore your history of relationship “traumas,” including feelings of guilt, shame, and other struggles that tend to be characteristic of someone that has a tendency to put others needs ahead of their own needs. We’ll talk about and work on incorporating skills that can help you with these challenges depending on where you’re at, such as how to set healthy boundaries for yourself and establish a foundation of healthy self-care. Some people most need to start with exploring and processing the thoughts and emotions connected to this difficulty without delving into skills work and that has its place too. I meet you where you’re at.

Childhood trauma

We’ll explore things such as adverse childhood experiences (“ACEs”) as well as the invisible effects of childhood emotional neglect (“CEN”). This may include underlying depression and anxiety you have been experiencing connected to other things in your childhood, such as having a parent struggling with addiction or mental health.  I provide a safe and non-judgmental space to explore thoughts and emotions you’re struggling with in adulthood as a result. We’ll discuss healthy coping skills you can draw from as you work on understanding and healing from childhood trauma/neglect, including how to navigate current relationships in your life in the face of newfound awareness.

Grief and loss

The death of a loved one in any circumstance feels painful, but when the loss is sudden or unexpected (such as with suicide) there tends to be so many nuances and layers that compound the pain of grief. I offer a warm and comforting space to help you unravel and make sense of those layers as well as ideas on how to take care of yourself, particularly during the first year of your loss.