My ultimate priority in individual psychotherapy is to cultivate a therapeutic relationship that is centered in empathy, compassion and trust. The most essential orientation I hold is to understand and attune to the soul signature and the nervous system of my clients. Collaboratively, I work with clients on developing therapeutic intentions through a strengths-based approach that encourages clients, through warmth, presence and humor, to connect to deeper awareness within themselves and explore larger perspectives.

Essential to my individual psychotherapeutic work is to offer tools and techniques that support a deep inquiry into the nature of the client’s present moment experience, allowing access to the truth and reality of what is referred to in Somatic Experiencing (SE) as the “felt sense” in the body. We focus on gradually amplifying the awareness of that felt sense in such a way that feelings can manifest, be released and expressed and deeper wisdom accessed. 

A key element of my approach is understanding and appreciating the “noble intent” behind the apparent “dysfunctional behavior,” emotional distress and ways of thinking and perceiving reality that create unnecessary suffering. I believe that our habits, patterns and strategies are attempts at adapting and finding safety and connection that are no longer working. In therapy we attempt to recognize and appreciate the fundamental nobility and goodness of such an attempt, supporting self-compassion and acceptance paradoxically helping the client change patterns at the core.

From that understanding, clients are led in co-creating new behaviors toward more empowered and loving action in their lives and the world. This is key to true healing. I believe that the essence of this principle, as shared by many therapeutic approaches, is to make action steps small enough so that they can be achievable and sustainable over time. In this way a new and more adaptive psychological and physiological pattern can develop.