How we treat.

I understand that many clients have been harmed in previous therapy experiences due to oppressive frameworks. I am passionate about aligning with modalities that work to dismantle hierarchy, avoid pathologizing clients’ experiences, and are inherently anti-oppressive. I welcome clients to discuss ways that previous therapies were harmful, and encourage regular feedback about how to shift my approaches to reduce harm and better serve clients.

Relational Therapy & Psychodynamic Therapy

A colorful diagram illustrating the ACT psychological flexibility model with six interconnected concepts: Acceptance, Commitment, Values, Self as Context, Being Present, and Cognitive Defusion, each with a brief description.
A Venn diagram with three overlapping circles labeled 'Uncovering the Subconscious,' 'Identifying Patterns,' and 'Finding Relief.' The central area where all three overlap is labeled 'Psychodynamic Therapy.'

While I use many approaches in my work with clients, I use relational therapy and psychodynamic therapy as the overall framework. Relational therapy prioritizes the therapeutic relationship - research shows that the strength of the therapeutic relationship is the strongest predictor of a successful outcome in therapy. We will focus on building a relationship and looking at how your patterns show up in the therapy room - I believe that clients “play out” their relational patterns and conflicts in our sessions. Part of my job as a therapist is to highlight these patterns, and help you experience a new way of being with others. Psychodynamic therapy looks to understand how experiences in your past influence your current experience. We look to understand how and why your current patterns developed, and use this insight to guide your choices and behaviors moving forward.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) looks to increase clients’ psychological flexibility. The theory views trying to change or avoid distressing feelings as an unproductive action, and the focus turns to acceptance, observing thoughts, identifying values, and commitment to actions aligned with our values. I often utilize ACT as a first step in therapy as we work to lower your overall distress and learn to navigate distressing emotions. Once clients are better able to tolerate “big feelings,” then we can work to understand them better and work on addressing the root of your distress.

Drama Therapy

First things first - drama therapy is NOT therapy for actors! Nor does it require clients to become actors or step foot onto a stage…

Drama therapy is an active and embodied approach to therapy where dramatic techniques are used as part of the therapeutic process. These techniques may include the use of storytelling, role play, metaphor, play, and improvisation. As a Registered Drama Therapist, I use drama therapy with all of my clients - you just probably won’t notice! I incorporate aspects of play, metaphor, and role play in virtually every session. Additionally, I believe that the role of the therapist is an active one - I’m not “on the outside” of your experience, telling you where to go and what to do. I am inside, a part of the process, utilizing my own thoughts, feelings, and reactions in our work.

An informational infographic explaining what drama therapy is, including its definition, methods, and techniques like role play, blending expressive arts, and using props.

Somatic therapies are based on updated research showing that trauma is stored in the body. Trauma is understood as a nervous system response, and somatic therapies work to release this trauma from the body and shift the nervous system’s response to resolve trauma, not just cope with it. I primarily draw from Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing in my work, as well as research regarding polyvagal theories, neuroscience, and pain science. I believe in helping clients understand the physiologic processes in the body contributing to emotional distress, working to notice these processes when they are happening, and engaging in somatic techniques to shift these processes. For clients navigating chronic illness and chronic pain, it can be especially helpful to understand how the physiological processes of your diagnoses overlap with and influence physiological processes associated with mental health symptoms.

Somatic Therapy

Infographic titled 'Core Therapeutic Techniques in Somatic Experiencing' listing four techniques: Pendulation, Titration, Somatic Tracking, and Orientation & Grounding, each with a brief description.

Positive Discipline

Positive Discipline is an evidence-based approach based on the work of Alfred Adler, the founder of individual psychology. Positive Discipline focuses on building strong relationships with our children, and utilizing approaches that are kind and firm - also known as authoritative parenting. Along with offering Positive Discipline Parent Coachings, I utilize Positive Discipline when working with parents of my adolescent and teen clients. I also bring this framework into my work with adult clients to help you learn skills to better understand and build relationships with your children, friends, family, coworkers, and partners.

A woman pointing to a poster that says 'A misbehaving child is... a discouraged child.' The poster features illustrations of three children, one with hands on hips and another with a sad face, in a classroom setting.