SPECIALTY SERVICES

Perhaps your own parents never quite mastered marriage, leaving you to figure it out on your own. You may find yourself feeling often frustrated and mystified about how to communicate with your partner in ways that leave you feeling in-sync. You might find yourself wondering: “Why is it so incredibly hard to connect with someone I love? I must be missing something!” 

Chances are. . . you are. I've been there. In my adolescence I began noticing couples in my church community, whose stated unifying force is to love others, struggle in their relationships. This inspired me to personally learn the art of loving others well, beginning my own life long journey. I discovered paths that can take you to new places in your relationship.

Drawing upon couple research, I will support you and your partner in slowing your dynamics down to uncover invisible forces past and present that are driving your conflict and disconnect. Together we can pinpoint the places you need to grow and skills yet forged. You can expect me to give you my caring attention as I take a supportive coaching role, exploring the meaning of behaviors, tracking and choreographing new steps in your emotional couple dance.

I often work with couples struggling with stress management, communication impasses, parenting conflicts, or difficulties feeling emotionally connected. My clients often comment that they appreciate my down-to-earth style and attunement that allows me to create a customized, rather than cookie-cutter, experience of therapy.

Unlike many therapists, couple work is my passion and craft. I have invested many years and resources in learning what it takes to provide quality services to clients. This has included advanced trainings in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, PACT, The Gottman Method, Prepare and Enrich certification, and Real Life Therapy trainings.

I hope to hear from you and your partner to explore how we can improve your communication and connection!

Perhaps you are like me. Maybe your parents did their best, but were building the plane while flying it, using the limited resources they were given by their parents to parent you. You may be a child of immigrants, or through educational opportunities, you climbed a socioeconomic ladder into a world that is a mystery to your parents. Maybe your parents were too overwhelmed and struggled with their own problems to see you, struggling with unresolved grief or trauma, mental health issues, relationship issues, chronic health conditions, or addiction, leaving you to feel unable to depend on them and on your own to make your way in the world. Or perhaps along the path you lost your compass, your confidence, and now you are trying to find your footing once again, wondering if you can trust yourself to navigate the challenges of intimate relationships. I know what it is like to feel like life is less of a team sport and more of a marathon - I've found myself lost in the throng of competitors with no one cheering from the sideline. 

Does anyone really see me? Who can help me untangle this mess inside? Can I find some peace and a path forward? I have been working so hard for so long. . . 

If you need someone on your team that you can trust to help you untangle your past to better prepare you to meet the present moment. . . I am here. I can help you make sense of your story, to disrupt your inherited narrative. I am passionate about going on the journey with others, inspiring courage through competent companionship to meaningfully explore narratives, limitations, difficult memories and feelings, but most of all, identify your strengths and desires for yourself, guiding you to your desired destination. 

You can expect me to be curious and compassionate while exploring sensitive areas, giving my caring attention to rising emotional experiences, and prompting reflection on past and present relationship dynamics to facilitate growth and healing. I value client collaboration and integrate your feedback into the process. I believe the art of therapy is in how research supported tools are implemented: your personality, goals, preferences, readiness, and the quality of our connection are elements considered in customizing how we work together. I will listen to you and gain your permission before intervening, seeking to understand the idiosyncrasies of your experience.

I enjoy working with young adults struggling with identity issues that emerge from culture clashes with parents, faith wrestlings, and being raised by emotionally immature parents. I also enjoy helping people from all walks of life find healthier ways to manage stress, from college students to parents to those in the corporate world.