How I Work with Individual Adults

I feel honored to work with each and every person who comes into my practice. Establishing a safe therapeutic relationship is the first order. Clients need to be able to express their feelings in the healing process without feeling judged. Some can only receive small amounts of input at a time, while others are ready to move faster. Whatever the pace, I challenge all my clients to evolve new visions and actions.

Soon after the first evaluation, I develop a “genogram” with clients as young as ten. This is a family tree of siblings, parents, grandparents and as much extended family as relevant. We fill in bullet descriptions of family members and the client’s relationship to them, both positive and negative. This becomes a valuable tool as we begin discussions about early attachment patterns with caregivers – patterns that sometimes span generations.

Together, we consider which methods may be most helpful. Sessions may involve client-driven conversations during which insights arise, the teaching of self-calming skills, guided visualizations, art therapy and more. Often communications skills are modeled or taught in order to improve relationships with family and significant others. If we decide to heal traumatic events or emotions from the past, both EMDR and expressive therapy are good choices.

I never push spirituality or religion on a client, but I am open to using these as resources to assist you in your journey.

How I Work With Children

Before I meet with anyone under the age of 18, I talk with the parents to obtain basic information and understand the parents' perspective. Every child is granted respect; with my help, every child learns to see himself/herself as an individual of value. Play is the language of children and so our work is always play as well. EMDR with children is also done using playful props.

How I Work With Adolescents

I work closely and collaboratively with parents, when appropriate, while also guarding the client's confidentiality. In addition to making a genogram of the first family, it is often important to make a diagram of the teen’s “second family” – his/her peers. I coach teens to pursue their creative passions and offer them the opportunity to bring in art, music, and whatever is meaningful in their lives.

How I Work With Families

I always meet with parents and young clients together; when relevant, I include others. When family members are open to change, everyone can begin to heal. I feel privileged to be a part of this process of reconnection. To reach our goal, communication skills, emotional expression, and trust building activities are practiced. Sometimes a young person and one parent will spend the session being supported in their communication.

How I Work With Couples

With my support, each member of the couple has the time and space needed to communicate without interruption. Conflicts that arise are often opportunities to reveal hidden issues. For example, if one partner speaks in a blaming way to the other, I may rephrase the words to reflect the underlying feelings.

How I Work With the Culture of My Clients

By virtue of my training as a social worker and my life experience, I am attuned to the culture(s) of my clients, whether it is an immigrant culture, the culture of a neighborhood or a lesbian subgroup. Expect a space of respect, acceptance, curiosity, and awareness.

Fees

My standard fee is $85. When clients experience financial hardship in paying this fee, I offer a sliding scale.

My social work license is accepted by most insurance companies for out of network coverage. I am glad to work with clients to provide necessary information to make the claim.