Depression and Depressive Disorders

Depression has many causes, there are different types of depression, and several treatments and therapies available. Too often, when people speak to their medical doctors about depression, they are given a pill without received an evaluation of the type of depression they have. Some types of depression respond well to short-term medication treatment, but many do not. Instead, psychotherapy is often a more effective and long-lasting treatment.

Anxiety, Worry and Panic Attacks

Regardless of whether your anxiety and worries are consider an "anxiety disorder", therapy can teach you some very effective techniques to reduce or eliminate anxiety and manage stress or fears.

Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and Adjustment for Women

Most women experience adjustment difficulties during the postpartum period. These might include baby blues, depression, anxiety, rapidly changing emotions, feeling overwhelmed, marital conflict, difficulties boding with your child, and other. Postpartum counseling can help with that.

Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and Adjustment for Men

Men get postpartum depression too! In fact, most men experience a variety of postpartum difficulties, including increased stress and anxiety, feeling inadequate as a parent, marital difficulties, work-life balance problems, and others. Postpartum counseling for men can be very effective in resolving these issues in a short amount of time.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by experiencing strong emotions of anger toward others, intense sadness, and anxiety. In BPD, these emotions usually arise in the context or romantic relationships. A person with BPD can very very pleasant and successful and work and with friends, but have fits of anger or intense fears of abandonment in relationships. In most cases, BPD can be successfully treated with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder have difficulty seeing and understanding things from other people's perspective. This can cause a variety of difficulties in social and work relationships. Psychotherapy can help people who tend to be self-focused to learn how to improve their social skills and relationships.

Bipolar, Manic Depressive, and Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders typically involve periods of high energy and activity, alternating with periods of low mood or depression. Sometimes individuals with mood disorders also have problems with impulsive behavior, addictions, gambling, substance abuse, and anger.

Relationship Problems and Couples Therapy

Who doesn't have relationship problems? We all do! Couples therapy can help improve your relationship and communication.

PMDD: Premestrual Dysphoric Disorder

Prementrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a more severe form of PMS (Prementrual Syndrome). The symptoms can begin up to two weeks before your period or just a few days before. PMDD symptoms can include strong feelings of anger, irritability, or depression. Some women also have anxiety symptoms and sensory issues (sensitivities to coarse fabrics, bright lights, etc). There are a variety of strategies you can learn in counseling that help to reduce PMDD symptoms. PMDD can also be treated with medication.

Marriage Counseling

Marriage Counseling is helpful to both couples in crisis, as well as couples wanting to improve their relationships. I use a variety of methods in marital therapy including teaching emotional attainment, the Gottman method, and relationship coaching approaches.

Premarital Counseling

Research shows that couples who participate in premarital counseling have a lower rate of divorce and a higher rate of marital satisfaction. I offer an 8-session premarital experience designed to help you develop the core skills needed to create a happy, lifelong marriage.

Dating Coaching

I've work with a wide variety of issues in my career, but dating coaching is by far my favorite thing to do. I love so much because it works incredibly well! Once clients learn to understand the opposite sex and practice the rules of successful dating, they begin to get the relationship results they've always wanted.

ADD and ADHD: Attention Deficit Disorders

Attention Deficit Disorders can occur in adults as well as children and adolescents. There are a variety of ADD and ADHD test and treatments available to help improve symptoms.

Family and Relationship Problems related to Substance Abuse

It is very difficult to be in relationship with an addict. I have work with addicts and alcoholics a good portion of my career, and I now specialize in helping the families and loved ones of individual who struggle with addiction or problem drinking.

Addictions

I have expertise in treating a variety of addictions. Some addictions are best treated in a residential treatment facility, while others can benefit from private-practice psychotherapy. At your initial session, I will evaluate you situation and give you my recommendation for the type of treatment that is likely to give you the best results.

Bereavement, Grief, and Loss

Losing someone or something of value can be a painful experience.  Grief comes in waves, and can knock us off our feet or simply be a feeling of sadness that seems to stay with us.  There are many feelings that can come and go during the grief process and grief counseling can help prevent you understand those feelings and prevent you from getting lost in them.

Suicidal Feelings

Many people, at one time or another, experience suicidal thoughts and feelings.  Often, people are afraid to talk about suicidal ideations because they fear being labeled as "crazy".  It's not crazy to feel desperate; it's just human.  Psychotherapy can help you sort through those feelings and figure out the next step to take to get your life and your emotions back on track.

Family Conflict

Individual therapy as well as family counseling can be useful in helping with family conflicts.  Each case is different, and the approach or technique I will suggest will be tailored to your unique family needs.

Counseling for Children

Children can benefit from counseling for a wide variety of issues.  In addition to more serious problems such as depression, anxiety, cutting, etc., psychotherapy for kids can help them learn how to deal with bullies, become more self-confident, learn to make friends, overcome test anxiety, cope with divorce, and more.

Teen Counseling

Adolescence can be a difficult time! I am experienced in working with teens who have anger issues, problems with peers and friends, family difficulties, academic struggles, and substance abuse.  I also work with gay teens who are coming out or struggling with issues related to their family's adjustment to their identity.

PTSD: Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

I have extensive training in trauma therapy and treating PTSD.  I am experienced with narrative therapy, cognitive -behavioral therapy (CBT), emotional processing therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for trauma.

Healing from Childhood Abuse

Childhood abuse, whether physical, sexual, verbal or emotional can have lasting effects into adulthood.  Counseling can often help to let go of past pain in order to create a life that is filled with joy and inner peace.

Rape and Sexual Assault

Victims of sexual assault typically want to forget what happened to them, and often try to convince themselves that the incident did not affect them that much.  In fact, most victims are not comfortable calling it "rape".  Yet, something doesn't feel quite right.  Here's an article I wrote for GoodTherapy.org about healing from rape.

OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD is a form of anxiety disorder that can be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.  Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy can both be effective in helping to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of OCD, including obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Hoarding

Hoarding is a form of OCD, and is the treatment for hoarding is similar to the treatment for OCD.  In addition, hoarders often have unresolved grief, which can also be addressed during therapy.

Eating Disorders

I treat eating disorders in a similar way to how I treat substance abuse.  For both, the behavior (or substance) is like a trust friend that is always there for you.  It can feel difficult to let that go.  Much like with addictions, helping someone with an eating disorder learn to love themselves and feel whole, cope effectively with anxiety and stress can help to reduce or eliminate symptoms of anorexia or bulimia.  I also work with families who are struggling to understand their loved-one's eating disorder.

Self-Esteem

Therapy can help improve self-confidence and self-esteem.  Problems with self-esteem can occur for a variety of reasons, and my therapy approach is always customized to the specific needs of each individual.

Personal Growth

Personal growth is a journey.  Whether you are learning to forgive, want to become more patient or more assertive, or simply want to understand yourself better, I would be honored to help you achieve those goals and accompany you on your path.

Spiritual Confusion and Existentialist Crisis

In my years of counseling, I have noticed that many of my clients who do not have a well-developed view of the world from a spiritual or existentialist perspective experience a lot of unhappiness and anxiety.  It doesn't seem to matter is someone is Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Neo Pagan, or simply has developed their own spiritual understanding.  Instead, what seems to make a difference is a feeling of purpose in life, and a general understanding of how we fit into the world and what life is all about.  I am knowledgeable about a variety of faiths and spiritual paths, and can incorporate elements of spiritual health and well-being into my counseling for clients who find it helpful.

Career Counseling

I offer career testing and career counseling services for clients who are searching for a new career, or find themselves unhappy in their jobs.  This service can be helpful to college students unsure of their career path, adults unhappy in their jobs, individuals who have been laid off or fired, or even retirees who are looking to begin a second career.

Life Coaching

Life Coaching is designed for individuals who want to get better results in one or more areas of their life.  Coaching can help with career development, getting promoted, being more efficient at work, time management, or even learning to get along with coworkers.  Coaching can also assist you with personal goals such as weight loss, fitness goals, or improving your social life.

Stress Management

We all have stress!  Learning to better manage your stress can improve your physical health, improve your sleep, and generally help you feel more relaxed and focused.  There a a variety of stress management techniques, but not all of them work for everyone.  In stress management counseling, you will learn how to discover the techniques that work best for you, and begin bringing more calm to your life.

Parenting Coaching

I have two jobs: therapist, and mom.  The parenting is much harder than the therapy!  Parenting can be joyful and rewarding, but to achieve that it's important to learn and practice parenting skills that really work.  In parenting coaching, I will help you understand your child and their emotional and psychological needs, and help give you tools that will bring peace to your home and deepen the bond you have with your children.