individual therapy

Individual therapy is a commitment. It is an investment to yourself for both the short-and long-term. There are many different modalities of therapy out there, and many different providers, so finding a good fit is worth the time.

My approach to therapy is integrative, which means that I pull together much of what I have learned over my years of training and experience, and integrate it into my therapeutic worldview and way of working with people. I utilize information that resonates for me and how I work best, which allows me to be authentic and grounded in my practice. Because of pulling from many theories and approaches, I can also adjust to what people need, based on who they are.

Some of the theories I have resonated with over time are Gestalt Therapy, Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, African-Centered Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Gestalt Therapy is integrative and feminist in nature, which lends well to much of my training in feminist/womanist and queer theories. Both RCT and IPT have a focus on relationships, which are often a fundamental to therapy work. We are generally relational beings, and connection is important to most humans. African-Centered Therapies also focus on interconnectedness, essential to understanding ourselves in context with others, and understanding the impact of the world around us. Lastly, ACT has major influences from Buddhist thought, integrating mindfulness and acceptance as core components. Mindfulness and acceptance are important practices in the process of therapy, and important as a part of healing. Difficult at times to practice, they are fundamental to living a meaningful, values-driven life.

You will find that all of these theories and more have influenced how I am as a therapist. Being present, authentic, and providing validation for our humanness is central to how I show up in the room. Understanding the broader context around us, how we impact one another, and the importance of our environments (including nature) help guide what we need at any given moment. Our work is inherently life-long, often repeats itself in various forms, and there usually aren’t many quick fixes. There is not a right way to do therapy, but my hope is that by doing, folks will find out what they need and make movement toward that.