APPROACH

I am a therapist because I want to connect with others. I believe that the connection between two individuals can be healing. Like many people, I want to make a difference in the world and feel that my life has purpose. I chose therapy as a vehicle to fulfill that purpose and help people transform into the person they want to be, as well as to connect with themselves and others.  There are some guiding features of how I work.  I use Existential and Buddhist Psychotherapy to examine what gives you meaning and inspires you to grow. Mindfulness is used as tool that encourages you to slow down and observe yourself in the present moment. Also, Multicultural counseling looks at cultural oppression in our society and how it can affect your relationship to yourself and others.

Existential and Buddhist Psychotherapy
How I use Existential psychology is by looking at the way you make meaning of events in your life.  This helps me to understand your unique perspective and how you experience difficulty. One place people often get stuck is in navigating life’s paradoxes. For example, you may want to have closeness in a relationship and, at the same time, feel afraid of losing your autonomy. We work in therapy to find a balance that fits for you.

I am drawn to Buddhist psychology because it provides wisdom grounded in ancient philosophy.  One of the guiding principles in Buddhism is that as human beings we experience suffering.  How we respond to suffering is paramount. We can cause more pain if we struggle and resist. Or, we can witness suffering without judgment, letting it come and go.  Together we will examine the ways in which you react to stressors and work on responding mindfully to these stressors, rather than reacting out of habit.  

A key concept in both Existential and Buddhist Psychology is focusing on the present moment rather than obsessing about the past or worrying about the future.  In therapy, we will work to bring you into the here and now to acknowledge feelings and emotions in need of resolution, build trust in yourself or another. Therapy is an invitation to turn toward yourself to be present in the moment.

One of the tools we will use to become present is mindfulness, which helps develop a consciousness to meet this challenge.  When we are truly in the present, whatever is relevant about the past or future will emerge. 

Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a practice of slowing down and observing yourself in the present moment.  This practice is used to cultivate awareness and kindness towards yourself. While practicing mindfulness, emotions and thoughts may arise that are uncomfortable.  

In counseling, we will focus on cultivating the capacity to be with discomfort and allow it to come and go. When we become more mindful of our habitual response we then have options to choose to respond in a new way.  What evolves is change and personal growth. Mindfulness helps us fully experience being alive.

Multicultural Counseling
I work with clients who come from a variety of backgrounds.  There are many forms of cultural oppression in this society which can affect how you see yourself and your interaction with others.  In fact, it’s very possible to internalize these forms of oppression, which can lead to feelings of unworthiness, and difficult ies in relationships. 

In therapy, I believe it is important to consider the many factors that make up who you are, including race, ethnicity, age, class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and national origin. By using mindfulness as a tool, we can enhance your awareness of the many facets of yourself and how you interact with others resulting in making authentic choices and relating to yourself in a compassionate way.