My Approach

Each of us bears a unique stamp of existence, one that makes us stand out against the backdrop of the turning world. Along with this unique stamp of existence, comes a unique form and expression of suffering.  Suffering, pain, wounds, grief, loss are all natural and inevitable aspect of life. Rare is it, however, that we are given the opportunity to express and channel these wounds and losses in a healthy and positive way. Nor is it commonplace for us to find a nurturing and safe environment in which we can find validation, exploration, and affirmation. As a visually-impaired individual, living with progressive blindness—I understand on a deeply human level, just how difficult it can be to move through and forward in the face of heavy loss and suffering. I also understand just how important it is to feel accepted, to be able to explore both the dark and the light sides of the human experience, and the crucial need for affirmation. We cannot shed our traumas, much in the same way that we cannot shed who we truly are.  I believe in moving through loss and moving forward with trauma. Trauma does not mean the end of our lives, nor the end of you. Trauma can be the chrysalis for growth and reaching a higher potential, never seen before. Suffering never ceases to be, it merely ceases to be suffering.  

We are all entrenched in a web of relationships. Whether it is at work, home, school, or anywhere in between, we cannot escape our relationships’ sometimes-daunting challenges and pitfalls. In relationships, people will not only bring us happiness, they can disappoint us, hurt us and even leave us —just as we can do the same to others. Learning how to navigate these complex relationships is the key to moving through the world with courage, strength, and self-assurance. Also learning how to manage the various systems of oppression that weigh on each of us in unique ways is crucial to the stability of our mental, physical, and emotional well-being.  

Living in today’s world so many of us struggle with isolation and loneliness because of monumental relational and systemic pressures. Therapy is about letting you know that you are not alone. You do not have to suffer in isolation. Your emotional, mental, and relational compass can be redirected towards a life of passion, love, hope, and fulfillment.  

Therapy must also include the body.  We are not just our minds, but our hearts and bodies. Neglecting any one of these can lead to the exacerbation of trauma that accumulates within.  My work is about how the mind, body, and heart connect and work in harmony. Through mindfulness and psychodynamic work, one can shift into a friendly, kind, and accepting stance towards one’s own body and mind. Combined with a gestalt, psychoanalytic, and existential orientation—I believe in looking at the big picture, as well as the smaller pieces for each client. Though I do specialize in working with disability, chronic conditions, depression, and anxiety—no issue is unwelcome or off-limits here. I believe in working with everyone, developing a therapy catered to each client, based on their needs and circumstances.  I work with both individuals and couples—and of all ages and walks of life. I was trained in the existential, phenomenological, and humanistic traditions of psychotherapy. As such, I believe in putting the client first, and moving with you in accordance with your ever-changing and dynamic self. I believe in a therapy that is both creative, and a therapy that possesses fidelity. Therapy is a commitment—one that I believe can help you in committing to living a fulfilling life.  

Emotion gives us motion;
art gives us life.

As both a blind person and a musician, I understand the struggle and need to express oneself through art. All art forms, regardless of the creative modality, are channels through which we come to understand ourselves and our emotions. And it is this very drive to create and explore the depths of human experience that generates anxiety, depression, and frustration. Whether it’s when we’re feeling stuck, like an imposter, or as though we cannot succeed - these issues do not have to stop us from actualizing our creative potential. Our personal struggles with mental illness do not mean that we are incapable of creating beauty, meaning, and impacting the world around us. It is this struggle that can enliven and impassion our art and lives.