"As a psychotherapist I integrate multiple approaches, within the framework of "talk therapy" to supporting my clients in healing and growth. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one of my greatest influences and the approach I use most often. It is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that integrates mindfulness with the concept of dialectics. Dialectics is the process of bringing together opposing forces or extremes to find a balance between them. Many individuals seek psychotherapy because they feel out of balance in one or more aspects of their lives. When people struggle with depression or anxiety, often their emotions, thinking and sometimes actions take a turn toward the extreme. Through the use of DBT, along with other approaches, I provide a structure within which my clients can clarify their expectations for change as well as to initiate and then monitor change. This change typically moves the individual toward a more balanced life experience.

With each client I tailor my approach to meet his or her unique needs and interests. For some, DBT means the use of a Diary Card or learning about coping skills, and for others it is understanding and applying more abstract concepts such as radical acceptance and wise mind. At the onset of treatment I use part of the first few sessions to work with my client to identify treatment targets, which are goals for change. As treatment progresses, each session is a combination of reviewing the client's most pressing concerns, as well as staying connected to those goals. A typical session might focus mostly on reviewing the client's experiences from the past week including feelings and thoughts they are struggling with. Before concluding I always look for a focus so that the client is clear on how to work toward progress or change within that struggle. It is my goal that from every session my client leaves feeling both understood and heard, as well as with a sense of direction for the rest of their week."