My Person-Centered Approach

During therapy I'm focusing on and appreciating the other person as someone who is immensely deep and wise, who has an incredibly impactful story whether they believe it or not. I'm far from thoughts of evaluating or judging the person in front of me; I'm more so trying to empathize and understand. From a genuine place, I share my thoughts, feelings, and reactions: my experience of their experience. I will freely share information if I get the feeling that I know something that the client does not know that could be useful to them, but that is not the focus of my approach.

I find that many people coming to therapy would like to have their problem clearly defined and a plan for changing it laid out for them. I wish I could do that for them but I believe that for me to remain humble and curious is what will allow the process of therapy to unfold, which is the process by which the client can change as a person, update their perception of the problem and their approach to their problems. This sort of change is the special kind that therapy can help people achieve: change that will last for a lifetime and can lead to greater effectiveness in dealing with all kind of problems.


I have experience with a wide range of clients but I often work with clients who arecreative, neurodivergent (e.g., ADHD, Autism), LGBTQIA+, processing religious trauma, or experiencing relationship or existential issues.

Common concerns

Relationships

Right now I only do individual therapy but relationship issues are a very common problem that I treat. In therapy we gain awareness of how we are being in relationships, who we are trying to be and who we are; we improve in our emotional regulation and communication; we get more purpose-driven and clear; and we deal with insecurities, wounds, and patterns often learned in childhood. These internal changes are interpersonal changes and affect our relationships.

Purpose and Meaning

In my whole-person approach, exploration of religion, existence, death, purpose, and meaning are common. I don't shy away from these topics or try to get clients "back on topic" to something "more practical". These are integral, worthwhile, and helpful.

Depression

Clients who struggle with depression are reaching out to be understood and to share their burden, but find it difficult to find someone whom they feel understands and can handle being burdened with it. On top of that, they often struggle with shame and guilt for feeling the way that they do. In my approach to therapy, acceptance, curiousity, and bringing one's experience back into "full color" is key.


Anxiety

My approach to counseling allows clients to begin to unpack and express the thoughts and feelings that they are anxious about. By bringing those thoughts and feelings out in a safe, positive environment, there can be a reduction of the fear and anxiety attached to them and the issues and options before them become more clear.


Trauma

I don't treat trauma in isolation but rather treat the whole person. I feel that those with trauma, regardless of how serious or deserved it may seem to them, could benefit the most from the autonomy and whole-person approach inherent in Person-centered therapy.

Limits

I do not specialize in assessment and diagnosis as I feel that these can be counterproductive to the kind of nonjudgmental, curiousity-driven therapy that I do. This includes assessment for ESA letters, ADHD, Autism spectrum disorder, and gender dysphoria. I believe that many people's goal for therapy and the problems they are experiencing can be treated within a Person-centered therapeutic environment without the necessity of an official diagnosis. If I ever feel that I'm not able to help a client or that someone else could help them better, perhaps with a different therapeutic approach or by means of a thorough assessment, I would discuss that with the client and may refer them to another provider.

If you have other questions, feel free to email me.