Couples Counseling
My focus is facilitating each partner’s capacity to attune to and support the other’s personal growth. My work is about fostering the revealing of one’s self through an expression of feelings and thoughts, without blaming or accusing.  I teach clients how to listen more effectively and calmly while trying to not take what is said personally.  In this process clients learn to develop interest and a curious state of mind, to ask questions designed to understand the partner’s experience. I encourage them to do their best by putting themselves in each other’s shoes, responding with empathy while still holding onto themselves. 

I have worked extensively with couples across the lifespan. I am certified in administering Prepare /Enrich Inventories designed to facilitate in the exploration of areas of communication, conflict resolution, spiritual beliefs, finances, parenting styles, sexual expectations and family of origin issues. The Prepare /Enrich program satisfies premarital requirements for many churches. The inventories include Prepare, for premarital couples, Prepare MC, for premarital couples with children, Prepare CC for cohabitating couples, Enrich, for marriage enrichment or marriage counseling and Mate for couples over the age of 50, getting married, seeking marriage counseling or going through life transitions such as retirement.

Body Image
Why is body image so important?  A negative body image is directly related to self esteem; the more negative the perception of our bodies, the more negative we feel about ourselves.  Body Image is the mental picture a person has of her /his body as well as their thoughts, feelings, judgments, sensations, awareness and behaviors.  Body Image is developed through interactions with people and their social world. Body Image influences behavior, self esteem and our psyche. When we feel bad about our bodies our satisfaction and mood decreases significantly. Our sense of self becomes unhealthy as we constantly try to push, reshape or remake our bodies.  We can lose confidence in our abilities, our sexuality, our careers and our relationships.

Extreme body image disturbances can lead to body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders and severe depression. I am very aware that the alliance between therapist and client, rather than a specific approach or technique, is the most critical factor for successful therapy.  In addition to creating rapport with my clients, I also provide education, insight and a healing environment, allowing clients to rectify their faulty thought patterns, fill in developmental deficits and internalize missing psychological functions.

Trauma is painful and attachment trauma is tragic; thus creating blockages to our capacity to adapt and connect to others.  As a healing professional I am called to bear witness and join in this pain to help people heal unresolved trauma and achieve lives not only free from symptoms but filled with a new sense of vitality and hope.

Grief
Following a death or a loss such as divorce or loss of a job, you may feel empty and numb. You may notice physical changes such as trembling, nausea, dry mouth or trouble eating or sleeping. Feelings of deep sadness and sorrow are common.  You may feel anger and guilt.  The experience of grief can be affected by one’s history and support system.

No two people grieve the same or for the same time period. It is a process as unique as an individual person. As a therapist assisting in the process of grief, I am present to hold a space for healing as well as create a safe place for feelings to be expressed and explored. It is important that one allow the time to find their expression and what they feel and really need.