Psychotherapy can be a very helpful tool to make use of during the more challenging periods in one's life. Alternately, some people elect to pursue psychotherapy when their lives are going relatively well and they have the luxury of extra time and energy to put toward goals of continued self-improvement and evolution, closer or more satisfying relationships, and deeper life satisfaction. Sometimes, people come through the door of a therapist specifically in pursuit of symptom relief either for themselves or for their child. Emerging symptoms of anxiety or depression may arise, problems in primary relationships, stress at work, or growing feelings of detachment are just a few examples of what can precede a person's decision to pursue psychotherapy. At other times, a person may not necessarily be clear what the problem is but he or she becomes keenly aware that something in the life isn't right – a sense that they are not as content or fulfilled as they would like to be. Maintaining one's health and wellness does not end at the physical level. Just as regular medical visits, physical exercise, and relaxation-based practices like yoga may be combined to form a foundation for overall health, regular maintenance and care for one's psychological well-being also represents an important piece of the puzzle. Each one of us is a dynamic, unique, and multi-faceted person and therefore attending to all aspects of oneself leads to greater feelings of wholeness and wellness.

One of my core philosophies is that each of us is a natural reservoir of courage, strength, and wisdom. What becomes more and less difficult at certain times during the life span, however, is the ability to access these aspects of the self. Particularly during periods marked by stress, loss, and/or increasingly tenuous external conditions that are outside of our control, we often need someone to assist us in resuming the process of uncovering and accessing our strengths. I believe this to be my key role as a therapist – assisting the client in accessing the unique gifts that he/she has to offer the world and enabling him or her to become more content, peaceful, and fulfilled. Of course, these goals are always considered secondary to immediate symptom relief in cases where something very troubling has bubbled to the surface. In such situations, mood difficulties, anxiety, addiction recovery, relationship problems and so on will be addressed and stabilized before moving toward deeper issues.

One of the best indicators of positive outcomes in therapy has long been identified as the therapeutic relationship itself. As such, the match between a client and his/her therapist is one of the most important aspects to consider when making the decision to begin or continue psychotherapy. This is why I always frame the first few sessions with a client as an exploration phase, during which we can each take the time to get to know one another and discuss how the "fit" between our personalities feels. I encourage a collaborative relationship at all times, and for clients to feel that they can voice their feelings and opinions openly and in a nonjudgmental and trusting environment. If you feel that my professional philosophy is aligned with your values and life experiences, I look forward to hearing from you and possibly working together at some point in the future.