About Me
Life can be a struggle
I know this because I have struggled deeply in my own journey. I have felt loneliness, and I have longed for love and acceptance from friends. I have been the caregiver and the fixer in all the relationships throughout my life.
I was raised by women. I adore my wife, and I know I drive her nuts sometimes. Together we parent our 10-year-old daughter. These two women have taught me patience, compassion, and understanding. And there were difficult times for sure. Marriage for me is a constant work in progress as we adjust to parenthood, job stresses, aging, and the chaos of external forces. I think parenthood has been one of my greatest challenges. These challenges with my family, and I’m sure I’m not alone, have been my greatest life lessons, in compassion, frustration, humility, pride, conviction, and joy. Some of the lessons were tough for me as I considered my sensitivity to be my superpower, but to my family, I was often exhausting. The lessons I learned often left me exhausted as well, but I would not be the therapist I am today without my family and the challenges we faced together.
I can help you to restore balance in your life by unpacking your old ways of thinking and helping you break behavior patterns that no longer serve you. Our goal will be to discover new healthier perspectives about your life and your goals. I specialize in treating a range of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD, family and couple’s therapy, grief, substance use, and depression.
How I Can Help
Your one true self – you have a hard time figuring out which of the voices and thoughts in your head are really you. Whenever you are stuck in your head worrying about your problems you find it close to impossible to engage with other people. Yet, you want connection … but you also want independence. Maybe you are stuck trying to fix yourself; listening to endless podcasts on a never-ending loop in your mind. Maybe you are stuck to a career that you don’t feel passionate about? Perhaps you have just become a parent and don’t want to admit how bored you are in this new role..
You know you should become the captain of your own life but you have no idea where to begin. If you are stuck in a holding pattern, I can guide you through the process of getting “unstuck,” and help you make new decisions to propel you forward. As long as you are ready to do something different than what you’ve already done, together, we can figure out what is holding you back. I am passionate about helping you if you are stuck in one way of thinking or in one or more aspects of your life.
My Approach to Therapy
Let me introduce myself and share my life story of struggle, achievement, and self-discovery.
CBT
Attachment Theory
Family Systems
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, and Family Systems are some of the essential approaches I use as a psychologist. CBT works by using our own logic systems to interrupt negative thought, feelings, and behavior patterns. Your attachment style is the way you behave in relationships – whether you are needy or completely independent, you likely learned this way of being from relating to your mom (who had her own attachment style). Your attachment style comes with a blueprint which influences how you engage in relationships. Family systems therapy helps individuals identify the role they played in their family of origin. Whether you were the peace keeper or the “golden child” in your family, once these early roles get solidified they become the way we interact with others and the way we anticipate others will respond to us.
