Who, Why and How I Help
Tweens & Teens
Experiences I can help your child navigate include, but are not limited to: difficulty concentrating, the emotional/behavioral impact of decreased or increased sleep, behavioral changes (i.e., more quiet, more argumentative, more isolated than normal), a sudden onset of sadness that cannot be comforted, panic, nervousness or anxiety they struggle to manage, thoughts or attempts of suicide, or self-harm. They may be struggling with communication or boundaries in social relationships, or you might be noticing an emotional shift resulting from academic pressure or family discord. I also have experience working with children with divorced or single parents, growing up with adopted siblings, and substance abuse. I see many young LGBTQIA+ people and enjoy working with them as they discover themselves and learn to navigate the social and emotional journey of existing as a queer person in today’s society.
I have worked with children, tweens and teens in a variety of ways since I was a child myself through volunteering, babysitting, youth ministries, and as a lifeguard and swim instructor. I take pride in my ability to connect to young people in a manner that breaks the barriers of age and allows us to join together and explore the trials and tribulations of growing up in a time when immense pressure is placed on them early on.
I especially love working with teenagers as they begin to make the transition into early adulthood and are toeing the line between an intense craving for independence and their natural instinct for deep connection with their peers and family.
Our work will begin and end with identifying and establishing healthy coping skills that ensure emotional regulation. A variety of options in your coping skills toolbox is the key to success.
Individuals
Experiences I can help you navigate include, but are not limited to: feeling stuck or stagnant in life, difficulty holding or even communicating boundaries, experiencing strong emotions unexpectedly and/or feeling as if you do not know how to cope with life’s struggles in a healthy manner, difficulty concentrating or maybe even starting tasks at all, anxiety or sadness that weaves its way in and out of daily life, and thoughts of or attempts of suicide or self-harm. You may be struggling with pressure at work or in social or romantic relationships, or maybe you have a complicated relationship with family members. If you are struggling to see your inherent value as a person, find yourself playing the dreaded comparison game with your peers, judge yourself for your job, your body, your successes or losses, I’d love to help guide you through it all with compassion and empathy.
Oftentimes we find that the pressure we feel from society, our families, or even ourselves to "go it alone" is just a little too much to handle on our own. Those proverbial bootstraps do not always feel within reach.
My intention in individual therapy is not to find and lace them up for you, but to help you find the motivation, strength, and clarity of mind to do so yourself. My own experiences in therapy have taught me a few things: it's okay to ask for help, I am capable of positive change, and I will probably make a few mistakes, but that does not mean I should quit immediately. If you are ready to take the first step toward healing (or especially if you feel you're not!), come and talk to me--we'll figure it out together!
As with children and teens, adults need coping skills too. Many of us did not get all the necessary tools in our youth and may feel as if we're trying to build a house with a wrench. I'm here to help guide you toward a more fulfilling relationship with coping skills that suit your needs! No more hitting nails with wrenches :)
Couples & Families
COMMUNICATION! You've heard that before, right? As cliché as it may sound, I am a firm believer in communication as the bedrock (or downfall) of all relationships. If we can't speak respectfully, minding personal boundaries and refraining from insults or attacks (of any kind), change simply cannot take place.
Does it feel like you just can't seem to get your point across? Does it feel like your partner or family members are just not understanding you? Can you YOU not understand THEM? It could be that you are all having trouble communicating your needs. It could also be that you are not quite sure what your needs really are! That can make it even more confusing.
It is not always easy to put words to what we are feeling. Sometimes it hurts too much to label it, and other times we are too angry to sloooooow down and tidy up our thoughts before we get them out. My goal with couples and families is to provide a safe and structured environment that allows each individual to fully develop their thoughts (and those dreaded feeling words) in order to communicate more effectively. And yep - you guessed it! Coping skills are especially important within the family unit no matter the age of all its members.