Services

Individual Therapy

While we are all part of systems, such as our families, and are influenced by them, we are also unique individuals. We each have particular life experiences, positive, negative or even traumatic. We have our own combination of temperament traits, as well as patterns of relating and expressing ourselves.

Child Therapy

It is within the family that children develop their sense of safety, security and self confidence. When a child is in crisis the whole family is affected. Seeing parents in order to gather information is my first step in trying to understand a child's puzzling behavior. Unusual behavior is often a child's way of trying to tell us something important. Understanding a family's history allows me to problem solve with them so that together we can shift family dynamics to allow the child to engage in more desirable behavior. 

Trauma and EMDR -- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Why I do EMDR

While I am a traditionally trained psychologist, and look critically at new therapy techniques, I became interested in EMDR because of the positive results reported by trusted and experienced colleagues. After looking at some of the research on the effectiveness of EMDR, I decided that there was enough evidence that this method was offering something new and valuable that might my benefit my clients. I therefore decided to become trained in using EMDR. I completed Level I in 1996 and Level II in 1997. I become a Certified EMDR practitioner in 2000. Certified requires ongoing continuing education in the practice and theory of EMDR.

While I do not think that EMDR replaces regular therapy, I find it a valuable addition to the tools and techniques I can use in treating clients. Here is some information that might help you determine whether EMDR might be something you’d like to consider. 

 

Relationship Therapy

Even the best relationships encounter difficult times. While things often work out, at other times we can't quite get back to normal. Life stresses, disappointments, misunderstandings or unresolved conflicts can all erode positive bonds. For many couples life challenges have gotten in the way of prioritizing and nurturing the relationship. Perhaps sharing responsibilities has created tension, or old wounds still linger and need to be addressed.

 

Family Therapy

Ideally, healthy families provide a source of support for all members, and create bonds of loyalty that last a lifetime. Sometimes, though, families face challenges that strain those bonds and make them function less effectively. Frequent moves, job loss, health crisis, parental discord, sibling conflicts, life cycle transitions, step parenting, parental anxiety or depression, or a child with special needs, can all challenge a family's optimal functioning.

 

 

Family of Origin Sessions

Sometimes I suggest to clients that I conduct a Family of Origin session. When we agree that it would be helpful, clients bring in their parents and siblings to therapy sessions to discuss their early history together. The families we grow up in hold special meaning for all of us. Our history begins in our families, where we first learn our patterns of relating. A Family of Origin session can provide a concentrated time to reflect and share each person's unique experience of those earlier times. In the ordinary course of our lives, however, it is rare though that we have the opportunity as adults to sit down together to discuss this joint history.