I focus most of my attention and energy on the client’s experience in the present moment. The past is highly relevant in therapy, but the way forward is usually discovered in the here and now.

For example, if you feel tense and sweat bullets when I ask you how you’re doing, there may be deep memories associated with that feeling and the DSM might label it Generalized Anxiety Disorder– but our most crucial job in therapy is to explore how you feel it today. That might mean telling me verbally about your sensations, physically acting out what it’s like in your mind and body, intentionally changing your posture or your breathing, or one of a million other possibilities.

Oceanside therapy is another avenue for my clients to recover their natural sense of safety and mental clarity. Being near the sea is wonderfully beneficial for human beings, and I chose my office in Pacifica specifically to harness the therapeutic benefits of the soothing crash of waves, the salty breeze, and the expansive horizon. When appropriate, I also incorporate evidence-based techniques like Brainspotting, Mindfulness interventions, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools to address symptoms with a focused, direct method.

However you choose to do the work, I collaborate with you to create a trusting enough relationship and a safe enough environment for you to experience your pain differently. It does take time and patience, but my hope is to send all of my clients back into the world, free from analysis paralysis and into an authentic life. The best (and most bittersweet) part of being a therapist is watching my clients “graduate” and move forward on their own, accepting the person they’ve always been and yet living in a way that’s brand new.

I’m here to guide you through the process, offering a collaborative environment tailored to your unique needs and goals. Follow the link below to set up a free consultation.