Mindfulness-Based Therapy
How we spend our time together depends on what will lead to your fulfillment. My primary role is to hold a safe and sacred space for you to increase awareness and compassion. I want you to enjoy a greater sense of empowerment and choice in your life. Whether emotional support, big life changes, or a higher level of growth, I’m here for you.
Mindfulness is the skill.
How you approach the content of your mind can make the difference between overwhelm and resilience. Are you being critical, harsh, and condemning? Or are you being open, nonjudgemental, and forgiving? Mindfulness can be practiced in formal and informal ways, and how I relate to you is mindfulness in itself. Developing the skill of mindfulness is something we will explore together in session, and you will have a chance to internalize this tremendous resource to take with you well beyond our time together.
Therapy is the process.
Have you ever noticed that it’s easier to see other people’s blindspots than your own? As your therapist, I’m not just an objective person to safely and confidentially talk through the challenges of your life, but I’m also trained in detecting and identifying what might be obstructing a clear vision and compassionate response. By working through thoughts, emotions, and sensations, and connecting past experiences with current behaviors, you will move away from limiting beliefs and maladaptive patterns toward healthy and intentional living.
Awareness is the goal.
If I could identify one word to sum up what we are consistently working toward, it is “awareness.” Without awareness, there isn’t enough space or clarity to respond appropriately and effectively to life’s various events. With awareness, you can expand your capacity to see opportunities for kindness and self-compassion. You can align intentions and actions. With awareness, you recognize an authentic integrity within and know your ability to act from that place.
Choice is the result.
As the mindfulness-based therapeutic journey unfolds, choices become more clear and prominent. The skill to identify your moment-to-moment experience, the understanding of how ancient patterns and formative experiences have impacted your life, and the familiarity with meeting your body and mind with awareness and compassion, all begin to connect in such a way that you gain greater choice and empowerment. You are wise, capable, and whole.
Working Together
I’m glad you’re here. My therapeutic orientation starts with respect, both for the reasons you’re in my office and your commitment to growth. I know your time is precious, and I strive to provide value in every session. I also care that you know how to grow between sessions.
I believe in you, even before I know you. During our time together, I am sincere and transparent, open and direct. I draw from an eclectic mix of psychological theory, and I provide education when appropriate. I let you know what I’m thinking, and I accurately reflect the compassionate response you deserve.
Certain events often precede the beginning of our therapy journey. Old trauma, new grief, relationship crossroads, shifting family dynamics, job and career changes, moving, starting or completing school, some sort of “bottom” related to a painful behavior — I’m familiar with these challenges.
Though it is difficult to imagine at times, these seasons of change create opportunities for growth. You could develop to a deeper understanding of your mind, embody a stronger sense of compassion, and lean into a more meaningful, connected existence with yourself and those around you. You will get through, so long as you stay present to your process.
You might want therapy for challenges that seem more continuous and pervasive, such as painful mental and emotional experiences. I’m a great fit for folks experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit, impulse control, compulsive behaviors, anger and irritability, work or school stress, family life, and the ever-present need to simply pause, breathe, be kind to yourself, and surrender to the moment.
You could be stuck and asking, what now? Perhaps you’re looking for emotional support and general growth in your life. You might benefit from greater emotional intelligence, sustainable mindfulness practices, higher self-esteem and confidence, identity development, self-acceptance and authenticity, and/or a more effective approach to communication and difficult situations. Maybe you just want an intentional space to explore your mind with a trained professional. I’m here for all of it.