Treatment Focus
"Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen."
-Brene Brown
Each client I've worked with has their own unique life experience, strengths, fears and concerns. My passion is connecting with people on an authentic basis. I want to know all of the things that make you you.
I hesitate to write what I "specialize" in, because people are not homogenous. Saying that I've worked with depression doesn't mean that I consequently understand your depression: how it affects you, how it feels for you, what it means to you.
That said, people seek therapy to feel better. Chances are, you're reading this because you want to know if I can help you. For that reason, I've made a list of things that I am passionate about helping people work through, which is by no means exhaustive.
Therapy isn't a pill you can take; it is a shared journey that leads to more holistic healing and a greater understanding of oneself.
"The grass is greener where you water it."
-- Neil Barringham
I believe that people are capable of change and healing, because I've seen it time and time again. If you are ready to be a bit vulnerable, to prioritize authenticity, to work hard, try new things, and sometimes sit with discomfort when you want to run away, then we will probably be a good fit to work together.
Depression
Depression is often completely misunderstood, which doesn't help at all when you are suffocated by it. It's hard to explain why you can't get out of bed, why you keep canceling plans, why you keep calling in sick to work. It can be hard to explain that sometimes there's no real reason you are depressed; you just are. You can have a million things to be thankful for and still have depression.
Therapy can be extremely helpful in combatting depression; it is safe place to process all of this and get support. I will work with you to create a plan to overcome your symptoms. We will move at your pace and take things one step at a time.
Narcissistic Abuse
When a loved one has Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or demonstrates behaviors symptomatic of NPD, it can be extremely disorienting.
No one deserves the gas-lighting, love-bombing, manipulation, and abuse typical of these relationships. Understanding and healing from relationships with narcissists can be particularly challenging due to the mental manipulation.
I can offer guidance in this healing process and work with you on boundary setting, establishing trust in yourself to combat gaslighting, and identifying healthy relationship patterns.
Grief & Loss
When someone you love passes away, it feels like your worst nightmare come true. Whether it's after a long illness or is completely unexpected, it can feel surreal and difficult to process.
Other experiences of loss, like miscarriage, divorce, the loss of a pet, or even ending a long career, can be devastating. For weeks, months, years, you might feel as if you're floating in a fog, just trying to get through the day. It can feel like stabbing pains in your heart, a constantly churning stomach, like you can't stand to be inside your own skin any longer, or like you are exhausted in a way you never have been before.
When others ask how you're doing, you don't know what to say. "Awful. Worse than ever before." Others might NOT ask how you're doing, for fear of upsetting you, and you want to say "This is all I think about, all day every day."
I can offer you support in this journey that you never signed up for. I can listen to whatever you want to share. I will help you manage all of life's expectations and determine priorities when the tiniest things feel like too much. I will do my best to help you get to a place of healing, no matter how impossible that might seem at this time.
Self-Confidence
Are you your own worst critic? Is that inner voice in your head always tearing you down, reminding you how undeserving you are?
The paradox of low self-esteem is that you feel you aren't worthy of love, which prevents you from putting yourself out there and actually finding love. You're so afraid of someone seeing you for your true self, that you never get the closeness you crave.
Low self-esteem at work can prevent you from sharing your ideas, feeling accepted, or asking for the raise or promotion you deserve.
You are worth so much. No matter who you are or what choices you have made in the past, you deserve to have someone on your team.
Stress
Sometimes it feels impossible to balance everything, like there aren't enough hours in the day. If you have too much to handle and feel like you're about to lose it, it's time to make a change. This is not a sustainable way to live.
I can help you identify ways to manage your stress, cut out un-needed distractions, and prioritize what is most important to you. We can improve communication skills and identify ways for you to advocate for what you need to take care of yourself. Life is too short to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stressed every day.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a mental health disorder that is triggered by a terrifying, traumatic event. Being involved directly or witnessing this event can result in the following symptoms:
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Hyper-vigilance
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Nightmares
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Flashbacks
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Extreme anxiety
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Intrusive thoughts about the event
PTSD puts the autonomic nervous system on high alert, so the "fight, flight, freeze" instinct can kick in just from hearing a loud sound or seeing a reminder of the event.
I have experience working with folks who struggle with their PTSD symptoms and need relief. If you are in the same boat, I can work with you on better understanding the body's physiological response and implementing skills to cope with and lessen these symptoms.