Individual Therapy

How the Counselor's Approach
Can Help You Promote Healing

It’s not uncommon to have waited some time before reaching out to a counselor. I understand.

You may feel uncertain how counseling works or how talking about your problems can help you become happier, healthier and living the life you truly want.

However, my approaches are based in proven science. Even more importantly, these successful methods are activated by our becoming partners in your healing.

You may have been feeling isolated and very alone with the concerns you’ve felt, fearing no one could understand.

It can be very difficult, by yourself, to make sense of your inner world and the thoughts and emotions that keep you stuck in repeated patterns and negative beliefs that limit your potential for greater joy and fulfillment.

I work with individuals to work toward:

  • Alleviating depression and low motivation
  • Reducing anxiety
  • Understanding challenges with anger
  • Healing the impact of past trauma
  • Improving your ability to be a good partner in your relationship
  • Raising self-esteem and self-confidence
  • Overcoming addictions that were used to soothe emotional pain

By addressing the barriers holding you back, you can work toward more easily moving forward with important personal goals.

Your Partner in Healing

I understand that the relationship formed with the counselor is the major building block to helping you be comfortable, to be open and to share your deeper personal feelings.

My advanced training focuses on helping you build that trust and confidence — which sets in motion the healing process. I use scientifically supported and proven approaches to help you feel secure and safe and to begin to explore your innermost fears and emotions.

In our sessions, I gently attune to how you are feeling so I can be there for you when emotions surface, when the tears come and as you process painful experiences. Our pace is determined by you and your own sense of readiness.

I understand — and respect — that you may be sharing with me thoughts and fears never discussed with another person, even those closest to you. As your therapist, we become trusted and confidential partners as you explore those deep emotional triggers. And, together we also share the joy of transformation as you gain new self-compassion and self-acceptance. Your inner strengths can come to the fore.

Selecting a Counselor to Overcome Trauma

Trauma is defined as a deeply, profoundly distressing event or experience. Trauma can affect individuals if it occurs as a one-time event, such as an accident, or as an ongoing series of experiences.

The impact of trauma on each individual can be different and varied. Typically, short-term reactions can include shock and denial and perhaps an inability to focus due to preoccupation with the event. Some of us shut down emotionally, feeling it’s easier to avoid thinking or talking about the disturbing experiences.

Longer-term responses to trauma are, at times, more difficult to understand. Many people do not connect their current issues to a long-ago event. The echoes of trauma can include:

  • Extreme sensitivity to present-day events
  • Irritability and anger over even “small” challenges
  • Anxiety
  • Feelings of hopelessness because the symptoms keep reoccurring
  • Flashbacks that seem vivid and sometimes frightening

Our nervous system has a good memory! We may still respond to the trauma even though it occurred years ago.

Also, we may feel shame that we can’t seem as adults to “get over it” or that our success in life is still hampered by events that should not still plague us.

And, the shame often leaves us feeling alone with our thoughts, feelings and unpredictable waves of emotions.

For many of us, we may have experienced a range of childhood trauma. Forms of trauma include neglect of our emotional and physical needs; abuse that was emotional or physical; or lack of secure attachment or being able to rely upon our caregivers when we needed them.

As adults, we may believe that what happened in our childhood should be overcome. We should be able to “move on” and “toughen up.” However, as just mentioned, the nervous system remembers — and has an uncanny way of triggering our emotions in ways we may not always be aware of in the here-and-now.

Proven Science and the Counselor Partnership Can Bring Hope

The approaches I use are based on theory that is repeatedly studied and researched. And, this research is reflected in how I approach my work with both individuals and couples and why I chose the methods I incorporate into my process as your counselor.

Helping you feel secure in exploring your inner world is of utmost importance to me. I will ask my clients for permission before we go deeper to explore painful topics. I am tuned into your reactions as we do this very personal work, allowing you to proceed without feeling judged. As your therapist, I help you affirm your concerns and fears — as together we work to help you let go.

When we surface those deeper feelings, you can count on me to help you through — and allow your resilience to become stronger to provide you with a new ability to cope in areas that once were challenging and overwhelming.

Many people who experience this healing process find they have more energy, a new feeling of lightness and greater courage to work toward important personal goals.

We have tapped into your innate ability to feel love and self-acceptance and to more fully engage with others. . . and to create the life you can now believe you truly deserve.

Answering Your Questions

I invite you to call me to schedule a phone consultation to give you an opportunity to ask questions and to better understand how counseling can help with your specific and unique concerns.

I respect that picking up the phone to call can feel daunting, and I want you to select someone with whom you can feel comfortable — and less alone in your struggle. Any question you have is important, and I will help you understand any aspect of the counseling process.