Specialty Areas
While I am a generalist, meaning I work with adults on a wide variety of mental health concerns, I do specialize in a few areas.
Supporting new parents
The transition to parenthood is a tender time. I am passionate about supporting individuals as they navigate this new role. I support parents with a wide variety of concerns, but below are several examples of areas I can be helpful.
Reparenting Work
Often, as parents we try to change generational patterns of parenting. This can be incredibly taxing because it involves relearning how to respond to certain behaviors, emotions, and experiences while simultaneously grieving what we were not given as kids ourselves. I find much of my work with parents is reparenting. Clients learn how to respond to themselves differently in difficult moments. This, in turn, allows them to respond to their children in new ways.
Identity Work and Self-Care
Becoming a parent involves changes in so many arenas—our body, our relationship with our partner, our friendships, our hobbies (or sometimes lack thereof), and more. Sometimes I hear parents say they feel like they have lost themselves since having kids. I provide clients with a space to process the various changes that come with parenthood while centering your needs, goals, and desires. I want to help you get back to yourself.
Postpartum Depression, Anxiety and OCD (beginning during pregnancy and continuing postpartum)
The postpartum period is a vulnerable time. I find that Western culture doesn’t set new parents up for success. Individuals receive messages that this is a time of pure joy and bliss. While there are moments of joy and bliss, it is also a time of sleeplessness, overwhelm, uncertainty, and let’s be honest—a lot of poop. It is common to struggle during this time. My goal is to help you understand your symptoms, and teach you tools to feel better. Here is more information about postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD symptoms.
Postpartum depression information: www.postpartum.net/learn-more/depression
Postpartum anxiety information: www.postpartum.net/learn-more/anxiety
Postpartum OCD information: www.postpartum.net/learn-more/obsessive-symptoms
Anxiety and OCD
I have extensive training and experience in treating anxiety and OCD. My approach to treating anxiety often starts with cognitive behavioral approaches to achieve symptom management. After this initial phase of treatment, I have a passion for going to a deeper level with clients, working to address potential underlying causes of their anxiety. In this work, clients and I often consider ways in which early experiences impact current functioning. I also find that emotional suppression and avoidance is a common contributor to anxiety. I work with clients to approach and experience their emotions so that those feelings don’t wind up manifesting as anxiety.
Perfectionism and High Achievers
I have a particular interest in treating perfectionism and high achievers. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get wrapped up in a cycle of constant striving. Many of us are taught that success and achievement lead to happiness, yet when we achieve our big goals, we find ourselves feeling empty or unfulfilled. As a recovering perfectionist and overachiever, I’d love to work with you to slow down and find happiness in the things you value rather than the things you achieve.
My Services
Individual Therapy (In person or virtual)
I am trained and experienced in the use of a wide variety of treatments. Clients and I work collaboratively to determine the approach that best fits their needs. Sometimes individuals have a presenting concern that matches a particular type of treatment. Oftentimes, however, clients benefit from an integration of approaches.
Group Therapy
(Start date TBD. Please send me a message if you are interested in this group)
Parents of Young Kids Process Group (for parents of kids ages 5 and younger)
Being a parent of a young kid(s) is hard work. This stage requires incredible amounts of energy (mental, emotional, physical), often leaving parents utterly exhausted. It is also a time of big feelings and lots of dysregulation from kiddos. This is all completely normal but can leave parents questioning themselves and feeling like they are the only ones struggling. This group is a safe place for parents to share authentically with one another about the struggles they are encountering with their kids. It is a space to get support, to relate to others and to feel a sense of community. Through this process, clients will experience reduced feelings of shame while cultivating compassion and empowerment.
