I believe that often what makes us unhappy is narrow and limited beliefs and attitudes about ourselves and our relationships. These beliefs and attitudes, inherited almost by osmosis from our families, friends, the media, and the world around us, contaminate our sense of self and our well-being.

In a therapeutic atmosphere of genuine interest, absence of judgement, and friendly kindness, these limiting, destructive (but usually hidden!) beliefs and attitudes can emerge. Once liberated, and in the sunlight of relationship, client and therapist can work together to reexamine the meaning of memories, fears, sorrows, worries, pain, shame, etc.

Although the circumstances, facts, and histories of our lives don’t change in this process, what does change is perspective. Our relationship with and attitudes towards ourselves and our lives and life circumstances can shift. Hardened attitudes of shame, self-recrimination, and self-condemnation can soften, recede into the background, and sometimes dissolve altogether.

I see the process of psychotherapy as a collaborative inquiry, in which both client and therapist are active participants in a shared experience that is usually helpful, and often transformative.

WHAT AILS?

I work with issues ranging from depression and anxiety to problematic relationships with friends, families, or partners; job difficulties, lack of social support and loneliness, substance abuse, and life transition issues such as the empty nest, aging, illness, care-taking of elderly relatives, and even fundamental questions about identity, death, and the meaning of life.