PSYCHOTHERAPY & PSYCHOANALYSIS

ADULT PSYCHOTHERAPY, PSYCHOANALYSIS, ADOLESCENT PSYCHOTHERAPY, CHILD AND FAMILY THERAPY, FAMILIES OF HIGH-CONFLICT DIVORCE, COUPLES THERAPY, TRAUMA

ADULT PSYCHOTHERAPY - I work with adults of all ages, including young adults, middle age, and seniors. I treat individuals struggling with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, individual and community trauma, low self-esteem,  relationship issues, divorce, work stress, and grief and loss.  

I focus on helping each individual develop an understanding of the current factors as well as deeper causes of their symptoms, and work together to resolve issues and develop a greater sense of self, inner security, and adaptive coping mechanisms as well as healthier relationships and life choices. In this way, psychotherapy provides an invaluable experience that is often life-changing, creating a pathway to more rewarding relationships and a richer personal, social, and professional life.

PSYCHOANALYSIS - Psychoanalysis is a deeper form of psychotherapy that involves multiple sessions per week. It provides a unique opportunity to delve into the root causes for emotional issues, overcoming internal and interpersonal obstacles, resolving conflicts, and developing adaptive coping mechanisms. This process often leads to a transformative experience that allows for greater sense of inner wellbeing and security, healthier relationships and life choices, and the capacity to experience life to the fullest.

In addition to my doctorate in clinical psychology, I have a doctorate in psychoanalysis and am a certified psychoanalyst. My psychodynamic perspective is based on attachment theory, relational theories, and self-psychology, all of which honor the unique experience of each individual. I work collaboratively to develop an understanding and appreciation of the interplay of genetic, family, and sociocultural factors as well as the impact of personal and community traumas.

ADOLESCENT PSYCHOTHERAPY - Adolescence can be an especially challenging time, particularly for the current generation of young people. The complex and far-reaching effects of the pandemic, social media, academic pressures, and concerns regarding climate change and the future have compounded inherent issues of adolescence including body image development, movement toward autonomy, and peer and family relationships. Adolescents who have experienced traumas are faced with even greater challenges, often manifesting in an array of symptoms that can have long-term effects. Adolescence can thus be a period of great conflict and emotional stress, often manifesting in depression and anxiety, eating disorders, academic or behavioral problems, or self-destructive behaviors.

However, adolescence can also be an opportunity for enormous growth. Effective psychotherapy can help adolescents develop adaptive means of coping, maintain healthy family and peer relationships, and achieve optimal academic and social functioning, setting them on a path for fulfilling relationships and self-care throughout life.

In working with adolescents, I provide understanding, guidance, support, and perspective to help them express their feelings, thoughts, and conflicts in an adaptive manner, develop internal security and resilience, and emotionally thrive. My focus is on helping teens and young adults cultivate their strengths and live up to their potential in emotional, social, and academic pursuits.

CHILD AND FAMILY THERAPY - Early and middle childhood are particularly important periods of development, when optimal emotional, social, and academic development provide children with a sense of identity, security, and self-confidence. Emotional problems manifesting as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, aggressive behaviors, and difficulties in social and academic functioning often have long-term effects, and are vital to address as early as possible. In addition, traumatic experiences such as physical and sexual abuse, family or social violence, and the aftereffects of the pandemic can result in post-traumatic stress in children.

I bring a deep sense of compassion, insight, and dedication to my work with children and their families to help them successfully overcome emotional challenges and enjoy rich and rewarding futures. Children are still in formative stages, and my work with children and their families fosters lifelong benefits in school, family life, interpersonal relationships, and emotional health.

FAMILIES OF HIGH-CONFLICT DIVORCE - I have extensive experience and expertise working with families of high-conflict divorce. My utmost priority is promoting the best interests of children by helping parents develop adaptive, successful co-parenting and/or parallel parenting that will benefit all family members. Oftentimes, given optimal guidance, even the most challenging parental separations can lead to healthier relationships for all family members.

At times divorce involves acrimonious relationships between parents, which can have a profound impact on children. Research has consistently shown that the degree of conflict between parents is the single biggest factor in children’s emotional states post-divorce. Such conflicts and parental alienation can shatter children’s sense of security and trust and hinder their psychosocial and identity development. I work with understanding, compassion, and perspective to help parents develop peaceful and amicable means of working together to promote their children’s emotional wellbeing and minimize detrimental effects of parental divorce. In this way, children experience as few scars as possible and adapt successfully, developing into emotionally healthy, well-functioning adults.

COUPLES THERAPY - Relationship issues can be challenging to navigate, even under the best of circumstances. I work collaboratively with couples to help them develop effective means of communication, resolving conflicts, parenting children, dealing with adult children, and developing rewarding blended family relationships. Couples therapy fosters healthy relationships and decision making that benefits couples for years to come.  

TRAUMA - Trauma can have both immediate and far-reaching effects which may permeate survivors’ emotional experiences profoundly. Oftentimes a current trauma may evoke earlier traumatic experiences, leading to even deeper symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, aggressive feelings, low self-esteem, terror, and emotional vulnerability. In addition, individual, community, historical and intergenerational trauma often interact, leading to complex trauma that can have multifaceted effects on emotional, social, and cognitive functioning.

I work with sensitivity, compassion, and care to help trauma survivors understand and cope with the effects of their traumatic experiences, promote recovery, and develop a sense of lasting emotional security. While past traumas cannot be erased, their impact on survivors can be mitigated and transformed into emotional strength, resilience, and self-confidence.