Initial Sessions

Therapy begins with building a strong therapeutic relationship in which clients feel comfortable discussing their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences. As safety and trust are established, I help clients identify clear, achievable goals, often by asking questions like: 

What does growth and improvement look like for you?

What is it about your life that you would like to be different?

What kinds of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors do you want to experience more or less of?

Subsequent Sessions

During subsequent therapy sessions, I provide space for clients to process feelings and experiences. I help clients identify patterns of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, patterns that were often learned very early in life. I educate clients about strategies for addressing and managing current symptoms, while also helping clients gain insight about and heal from origin wounds that are often driving current symptoms.

“The goal of EMDR treatment is to rapidly metabolize the dysfunctional residue from the past and transform it into something useful.” - Francine Shapiro

In simplest terms, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) operates from the premise that emotionally-charged experiences and traumas can overly influence your present emotions, sensations, and thoughts about yourself; for example, when we feel worthless, even though we know we are a worthwhile person. EMDR helps people process past experiences that keep us “stuck” in unhealthy patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. To accomplish this, EMDR uses a simultaneous combination of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or alternating tapping), memory targets, free association, and intermittent orientation or awareness. EMDR also involves learning various grounding strategies to promote mindfulness and emotional regulation.