In other words, “talk therapy.” Clients are supported and challenged through a wide array of problems, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, grief/loss, relational issues, gender dysphoria, systemic oppression, existential fear, lack of ambition, loneliness, and more. I employ a psychodynamic perspective, which means examining one’s past as well as the here-and-now emotions that come up live in session. This method also involves calling direct attention to the therapist’s own observations and feelings toward their clients to increase self-awareness and/or facilitate a corrective emotional experience.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an empirically validated therapy treatment for reducing post-traumatic symptoms and reconciling painful traumatic memories such as sexual/emotional abuse, physical abuse, neglect, natural disasters, home break-ins, and more. EMDR is also a beneficial treatment for individuals who might not have experienced a life-threatening event, but wish to reduce the pain of certain memories such as divorce, bullying, social rejection, heartbreak, etc.

Art Therapy is a salient tool to help individuals open up without the need for words. Using an array of art materials, I help clients express themselves through symbolic representation and gesture. The result is often a cathartic release of unconscious emotions and newfound awareness of one’s underlying pain, fears, desires, and hopes. Art therapy is not limited to visual art, it can encompass creative writing, poetry, journaling, as well as the sharing of one’s favorite music and books.

Adolescence is one of the most psychologically distressing developmental stages due to the onslaught of biological and psychological changes paired with emotional immaturity, impulsiveness, and difficulty verbalizing feelings. I have an extensive background working with teens, starting when I myself was a teenage volunteer at a teen-to-teen crisis hotline. I have worked with teens and their families in a variety of settings and conducted a scientific research study on the use of art therapy with adolescents for my graduate thesis. This study won the “Outstanding Final Project” award.

Addiction is one of the most significant barriers to treatment. Addicted individuals struggle with not only mental health concerns like depression and anxiety, but also unrelenting substance cravings, physical dependency, and mental obsession with their drug of choice. Self-harm is just as much of an addiction as substance use, and can be treated similarly. I have experience working in drug rehabilitation centers, conducted original research on self-harm through the lens of addiction, and am educated on the LA 12-step community. Therapy is the place to come to break one’s addictive cycle.