Individual Therapy
Experienced Counselor in Portland, Oregon
My theoretical approach has been heavily influenced by attachment theory and relational psychodynamic psychotherapy. I believe that we are all beings who ultimately desire to belong and that most of our traumas are a result of somewhere down the line not being accepted in some way, shape or form. Oftentimes these wounds are in our subconscious and we have very little awareness to how much they can control our day to day interactions. What’s left unaddressed has a funny way of continuing to pop up. I’m very fond of Carl Jung’s words, “A person who has not passed through the inferno of their passions has never overcome them. As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being. Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”
I believe that through the therapeutic relationship we learn how to access these somewhat hidden truths. This process will also involve our relationship (therapist and client) being that our relational wounds tend to follow a pattern in all our relationships.
Therapy will feel wildly uncomfortable at times but this is also where the healing lies. I aim as a therapist to contain a safe space to process these hard truths that can feel so new and invasive and believe that there is a special beauty in being able to have someone witness and hold the space for these sometimes powerful and painful realizations. Whether you are coming to therapy due to these relational wounds, abandonment, difficulty relating to others, struggles with addiction or even an overwhelming struggle with anxiety, depression, or shame I believe your decision to seek therapy is a badass one.
You are a unique individual, and you deserve a therapy that is uniquely tailored to your needs. It is my job to tailor a therapy to who you are, including how you identify, your personality, values, and concerns.
I am skilled at using a wide variety of therapeutic approaches, including attachment work and depth-oriented psychotherapy, narrative | art therapy, emotion-focused therapy, various trauma and body-based therapies
I have unique and personal experience in understanding how sometimes our traumas can manifest in many ways including addiction, alienation, shame and fear. I hold a space where all these things are shown love, empathy and understanding.
I hold a very open minded approach and believe that you should hold the power in deciding when and how you would like to be approached. I’m also very open in helping navigate these areas if also desired.
I understand that when painful areas get attention, sometimes for the first time in a long time that the things that have brought you to therapy could also occur between us during a session. It is important to me that you feel safe expressing yourself no matter what the emotion and that I am prepared to hold these interactions with care and understanding so that you can feel safe.
I find it important as a clinician to be engaged in research which can provide information on how to best help people, specifically those struggling with addiction in its many forms and ways. I am a strong believer that addiction is a symptom of unprocessed trauma and should be treated with empathy, care and respect.
In working together, we will explore the relational patterns and dynamics that have influenced your struggles and fears. It is my desire to help you become aware of the patterns in your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships in order that this new awareness might inform your current and future way of being.