My therapeutic philosophy

The field of mental health was created decades ago by old white men with only white, cishetero clients in mind. There’s a lot to learn from the original theories. But I think modern therapists have a responsibility to question concepts from conventional therapy, and to bring our humanity to the work we do.

A few assumptions of traditional therapy that I reject (click for my perspective)

  • My perspective: I believe intentional sharing of some information about my life and beliefs is not only ok, but is often necessary for clients to trust me. Read more about why I disagree and learn about my story and values.

  • My perspective: You got to where you are for good reasons and we’ll try to discover those reasons together. My role is not to fix you. I will guide you toward your own wisdom and capacity.

    I question the construct of mental illness, and don’t diagnose unless there is a clear reason it will be helpful to you. My priority is to help you achieve your own definition of health and wellness - not to fit you into pre-determined categories.

  • My perspective: Individual challenges often have systemic roots. We are influenced by the environment and systems we exist within. Also, many “symptoms” are understandable responses to living within oppressive systems and an increasingly inhospitable world. It is reasonable to struggle in the face of capitalism, white supremacy, and cis-hetero-patriarchy.

    We will directly examine the role these larger contexts have on your mental health while supporting you in finding a greater sense of freedom and peace.

  • My perspective: I don’t think therapists should have to hide their humanity. I’m deeply empathic to a point that I sometimes tear up with my clients. I believe my ability to feel deeply with clients is part of what makes me good at my job. There is healing potential in this experience as well. Because when we see that our stories have the power to touch someone, we are reminded that we matter.

 

Pillars of my therapeutic approach

 

01 — our earliest relationships are a key to understanding ourselves

My work has a strong focus on attachment: the understanding that our earliest significant relationships have a deep impact on how we see ourselves and relate to others as we get older. Revisiting these childhood and adolescent relationships and experiences can be illuminating and transformative.

This is not about “dwelling on the past.” Rather, it’s about taking a brave and honest look at the way the past is still impacting us right now. This insight can help us access self compassion. It can also help us begin to loosen the grip the past has on our present and free us to create something new.  

 

02 —  emotions are wise messengers

I incorporate many concepts from acceptance and commitment therapy, and emotion-focused therapy. I believe our emotions carry a tremendous amount of wisdom. I will often challenge you to tune into your feelings and listen closely. This can sometimes feel awkward, uncomfortable, or difficult. We can’t eliminate painful emotions from our lives, but we can change the way we relate to them. When we stop fighting our feelings and instead see them as wise messengers with valuable information, we can relieve some unnecessary suffering and learn important truths about what matters most to us. Building our capacity to navigate our (inevitable!) feelings allows us to make conscious choices rooted in our values and live the life we want to live.

 

03 — we are made of many selves and stories

I draw from parts work and narrative therapy. We all have internalized messages, narratives, and beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. These develop over time as a way to make sense of our lives and experiences. We will spend time learning about what they are, where they come from, and how they’ve served you. We will explore the different parts of yourself that hold stories that have helped you survive in the past, and begin to shift the ones that no longer work for you. This will help you to make conscious decisions as you heal. Free from judgment, we will be genuinely curious about who you are and how you got here, and work towards a greater sense of wholeness.

 

04 — we are individuals existing within systems

I will view your experience through a feminist therapy lens. It’s impossible to understand a human’s experience without examining the systemic context that has shaped them. We will look at the way our society’s structures and systems have impacted you and the ways that your self-understanding connects to the categories and roles that were assigned to you.

 

05 — relationships shape our brains and bodies

My work is heavily influenced by interpersonal neurobiology and polyvagal theory. These theories offer a perspective on how our relationships and interactions with other people shape and impact our brains and bodies. We will look at the ways your significant relationships impacted your nervous system from birth. It can be useful to understand what’s happening in our body/mind when we’re distressed and what we can do to care for ourselves during those times of activation.

 other values I bring to my work

  • I’m queer, trans, and non-binary informed and affirming.

  • My work with clients is body-neutral.

  • I’m committed to educating myself about the issues faced by all marginalized and oppressed groups including Black and Indigenous women and people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, religious minorities, people in larger bodies, women, neurodivergent folks, and at-risk youth. I will always strive to make my office a safe space for you. 

  • I am affirming of poly, ethically non-monogamous, and other unconventional relationship structures.

 
Schedule a free consultation