Specialties

Depression can be painful and debilitating. It can leave us feeling tired, lonely, fatigued, with little motivation to do the things that need to be done. It may contribute to negative and critical thoughts. Fear of burdening others or seeming weak can make it difficult to seek help, and yet struggling alone can feel isolating. Experiencing depression doesn’t compromise one’s resiliency. In therapy you can learn that your inner critic isn’t always right, and layering harsh self-judgment onto an already painful circumstance only worsens the pain.

We can work on practicing kinder, more compassionate ways of treating yourself and unhooking from unhelpful thoughts. You can learn to focus on what is already abundant and unique in your life- instead of focusing on what is lacking. We can also help reconnect you to satisfying, pleasurable and healthy experiences in your life, removing any barriers that exist, while celebrating meaningful choices and accomplishments. You may become comfortable enlisting support and asking for help so you feel more connected and understood, and take more actions aligned with your values so you feel capable.

Life involves suffering, but it doesn’t need to define us- how we learn to cope with it and the choices we make to heal, can. Through therapy, you can learn to cope with depression by finding affirming resources within yourself, your life, and in your community.

I’ve worked with teens and young adults for 10+ years and enjoy helping my clients navigate the uncertainty, stressors, and transitions of this stage with greater ease and confidence. Therapy can offer an objective and supportive space to process emotions and decide what’s important to you.

I take a collaborative and strength-based approach, exploring how young people’s unique strengths and ideas can help them overcome their challenges, attain their goals and feel confident on their journeys. Therapy may help to clarify identity, values, and needs, to learn to unhook from self critical thoughts, and to untangle from the influences and opinions of peers, social media, and larger society- all which can add a whole lot of pressure and can exacerbate anxiety, depression and low self esteem. Finding their unique voice, advocating for themselves, asking for help, understanding and expressing feelings and needs, developing self confidence, clarifying career or college next steps, or developing stress management practices- all may be things we choose to work on together in therapy.

Are you an overstressed parent struggling to do it all?

Are you feeling overextended with little time for your own stress relief or self care?

Do you find yourself feeling guilty for past parenting mistakes or over analyzing future decisions?

Do you sometimes overreact, feel triggered, or lose your cool?

Do you often doubt your parenting decisions?

I enjoy helping parents feel more calm, confident and capable about parenting decisions. I coach parents around setting firm, caring and effective expectations and limits. We may establish family agreements that reflect the unique values of your family and look at how your parenting choices align you with the parent you want to be. We can take time to celebrate parenting successes, while also problem-solving to address tough moments or patterns in interactions with your kids. We may also explore and understand triggers and old stories that might cloud your perspective of your child. We can help shift unhelpful thoughts and associations and reframe blocks more healthily. I can share my knowledge of developmental stages from childhood to adolescence to help you make decisions supporting each stage of your child’s growth. Perhaps most importantly, we will help you manage stress & regulate your nervous system to increase calm, loving dialogue and understanding.