COMMON
FACTORS
The Common Factors Model suggests that key relational elements are centrally responsible for the positive change clients experience in therapy. Research indicates that these common factors, more than the specific techniques or theories a therapist uses, are instrumental in fostering therapeutic growth. Chief among these are the therapist's ability to maintain positive regard for clients, communicate authentically, and demonstrate humility in the face of cultural difference.
While I have deep roots in and appreciation for clinical theory, I believe that the therapeutic bond I nurture with my clients stands paramount. I strive to form a unique relationship with each client that is grounded in the common factors of change, tailored to their personal needs, and founded upon mutual trust, respect, and joint commitment to their goals.
INDIVIDUAL
PSYCHOTHERAPY
My approach blends a pragmatic and inquisitive spirit. Clients come to therapy seeking tangible solutions to their immediate concerns. As they explore the nuances of their dilemmas, rich philosophical questions often surface. I give equal importance to the pressing challenges clients face and the contemplative reflections they inspire.
Guided by humanistic theory, I prioritize genuineness, empathy, and a non-directive attitude. I foster a compassionate environment in which clients have the freedom to identify their challenges and steer the change they wish to see.
Drawing from psychodynamic theory, I listen for unconscious motifs in clients' communications and invite them to explore dreams, wishes, fantasies, and fears that may seem unrealistic but nevertheless hold power. When clients attend to subtle facets of their privately-held experiences, they may unveil latent dimensions of themselves concealed within their impasses.
Informed by cognitive-behavioral theory, I help clients explore the connection between symptoms and their cognitive roots. I seek to ensure that clients leave therapy with practical strategies to see through improvement in their lives.
COUPLES
COUNSELING
My approach to couples counseling is influenced by the feminist tradition associated with the Stone Center at Wellesley College. Inspired by thinkers like Janet Surrey, I believe that we come to know ourselves in and through our relationships.
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Couples seek counseling at pivotal junctures in their relationships. Whether they are negotiating the nature of their commitment, navigating their evolving needs and desires, or seeking clarity on their shared path forward, each partner is engaged in a mutual process of defining themselves in and through relationship.
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I work with heterosexual and LGBTQ+ couples in both traditional and non-traditional arrangements. Employing active listening, I strive to maintain a non-judgmental stance that enables each partner to communicate openly and be genuinely heard. Within a supportive therapeutic space, couples often find innovative ways to negotiate their differences and gain a deeper understanding of their needs and motivations.
CBT-I
Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, can lead to serious mental and physical health consequences. Consistently poor sleep may exacerbate depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. Traditional medications, while beneficial for some, are not always the best solution. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) offers an effective alternative.
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​I've completed both foundational and advanced training in CBT-I at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. For clients who simply wish to target better sleep, I offer short-term, solution-focused CBT-I. The typical timeframe for a full CBT-I regimen is 8 to 12 weeks. For clients who see me for individual psychotherapy and have challenges sleeping, I can suggest techniques that may help to promote better sleep.
SUPERVISION
I'm committed to training the next generation of social workers, ensuring they are well-equipped, both theoretically and practically, for the work they have chosen to undertake.
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Throughout my career, I've benefited from outstanding supervision by leaders in the field. I understand first-hand the transformative power of supervision to shape emerging professionals.
In multiple capacities, I've guided the development of emerging social workers. In a residential program for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges, I managed a team of six dedicated counselors. For the last ten years, as a tenured faculty member at a school of social work, I've taught direct practice curriculum, helping students bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application.
My approach to supervision mirrors the principles I strive to uphold in my clinical practice. Recognizing the distinctiveness of each supervisee, I align my guidance with their questions, interests, and talents. Just as I emphasize the therapeutic bond with clients, I seek to form supervisory relationships that are grounded in collaboration, mutual understanding, and constructive feedback. I aim to enhance supervisees' ability to conceptualize their work and nurture their capacity for self-reflection, preparing them for the diverse roles they will navigate in their careers.