Individual Therapy

I am licensed to practice in California and New York, and my therapeutic approach is humanistic and integrative, drawing from various evidence-based techniques. I am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and trained in Relational Life Therapy (RLT) and integrate parts work therapy and polyvagal theory. As a fellow in Thanatology, I specialize in loss and grief counseling and have an additional background in bioethics, providing expertise in medical issues and moral or ethical dilemmas. In my practice, I also work with therapists, medical doctors, and professionals in the healthcare field, offering tailored support for those who face the unique challenges associated with caregiving roles.

Specialties

Depression and anxiety can manifest as persistent sadness, excessive worry, or a loss of interest in daily activities. A depressed mood can indicate various underlying issues, ranging from temporary life stressors to certain mental health conditions. It often involves persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness and may come with other symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, or changes in sleep and appetite. The causes of a depressed mood can be diverse and include psychological, biological, and social factors. Anxiety can manifest in various ways, affecting thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and even physical health. It often involves excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that can range from mild to severe and may be triggered by specific situations or appear without any apparent cause. Understanding the different ways anxiety can show up and how therapy can help manage it is essential for effectively addressing this common mental health issue.

Trauma, including PTSD and developmental trauma, can result in lasting emotional and physical distress, impacting relationships and overall functioning. Untreated trauma can significantly affect multiple areas of life, including work, relationships, and parenting. The lingering effects of trauma can manifest in various ways, often without a person fully realizing the connection to their past experiences. Understanding these impacts is essential to recognize the importance of addressing trauma for overall well-being.Depression

ADHD not only affects focus and organization but also involves emotional regulation difficulties, such as heightened impulsivity, frustration, and mood swings. Individuals with ADHD may experience feelings of shame or low self-worth due to struggles with meeting expectations, which can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Trauma, PTSD: Trauma, including PTSD and developmental trauma, can result in lasting emotional and physical distress, impacting relationships and overall functioning. Untreated trauma can significantly affect multiple areas of life, including work, relationships, and parenting. The lingering effects of trauma can manifest in various ways, often without a person fully realizing the connection to their past experiences. Understanding these impacts is essential to recognize the importance of addressing trauma for overall well-being.The effects of untreated trauma rarely stay contained; they often extend beyond the individual and influence various aspects of life. Whether it’s through work performance, the ability to maintain healthy relationships, or the capacity to parent effectively, untreated trauma can create a pervasive and ongoing impact. The stress, anxiety, and other symptoms associated with unresolved trauma can strain social networks, leading to feelings of isolation and worsening the problem.

Seeking support through therapy, counseling, or trauma-informed practices can significantly improve an individual's quality of life. Addressing trauma helps people develop healthier coping mechanisms, build stronger relationships, and manage stress more effectively in both personal and professional settings.

Grief and Loss Loss and grief are universal experiences that can arise from a wide variety of situations. While many associate grief with the death of a loved one, people can grieve and seek therapy for many other types of loss. Here’s an overview of different types of loss and grief individuals may experience: death of a loved one, loss of health (chronic illness or disability), divorce or breakup, loss of a job or career, loss of a friendship, loss of a dream or expectation, loss of a pet, loss of independence (aging), ambiguous loss (no closure or ending), cultural/identity loss, secondary losses.

Living with chronic, coping with a recent medical diagnosis or terminal illness People living with chronic illnesses, a recent medical diagnosis or a terminal illness often face significant physical, emotional, and psychological challenges, which can greatly impact their quality of life. Seeking therapy for chronic illness can be a crucial step in managing the emotional toll and finding ways to cope with the daily stressors associated with long-term health conditions.

Relationship Issues People seek therapy for a variety of relationship problems that can arise in romantic partnerships, friendships, or family dynamics. While each situation is unique, some common relationship issues that bring individuals and couples to therapy include communication difficulties, trust issues, conflict resolution, intimacy problems, and life transitions.

Anger Management People often seek therapy for anger management when they find that their anger is causing problems in their personal lives, relationships, or work. Uncontrolled or frequent anger can lead to conflicts, damaged relationships, legal issues, and even physical health problems. Therapy can be an effective approach to help individuals understand the root causes of their anger, learn to control it, and improve their quality of life.

Early childhood issues, developmental trauma Early childhood trauma can have profound and long-lasting effects that extend into adulthood, influencing a person’s mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being. Trauma during childhood often arises from adverse experiences and when these events occur in a critical period of development, they can impact brain functioning and shape how individuals view themselves, others, and the world.

Burnout, Secondary Trauma, Vicarious Trauma Burnout, secondary trauma, and vicarious trauma are experiences that commonly affect people who work in demanding or high-stress environments, especially those involved in helping professions. These conditions can arise when individuals are exposed to prolonged stress or the suffering of others, leading to emotional, physical, and psychological consequences. Therapy can be crucial in addressing these issues by providing support, coping strategies, and a space to process emotions.

Self-esteem Learning about self-esteem issues and working on them in therapy can have a transformative impact on an individual's overall well-being, relationships, and quality of life. Self-esteem refers to how one perceives and values themselves. When self-esteem is low, it can lead to negative thought patterns, self-doubt, and behaviors that hinder personal growth. Therapy can help individuals understand and address these issues, fostering healthier self-perception and greater resilience

Work place/career issues Work stressors and career issues are common reasons people seek therapy, as the demands and dynamics of the workplace can significantly impact mental and emotional well-being. The complexities of career-related challenges can affect one's quality of life, relationships, and sense of fulfillment. Therapy can provide support and practical tools to navigate these challenges and foster a healthier relationship with work. Common issues related to work stressors are: job dissatisfaction, career changes, job burnout, work-related anxiety and performance pressure, dealing with difficult coworkers or supervisors, work-life balance issues, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, overworking, career transitions, unemployment, dealing with major life events impacting work, retirement and late-career issues.