How I Work

My treatment approach is designed as a structured accelerated model of psychotherapy.  I work collaboratively with people to get to the bottom of their problems and solve them as rapidly as possible. While symptom relief is a fine goal, I aim to help people achieve lasting change. Current symptoms should not be replaced by different symptoms. Within the confines of reality, we will work diligently to help you define your goals and create a life in which you fulfill your adaptive potential.

Outcomes of this therapy include:

• Individual relief and success

• Restoration of interpersonal harmony in relationships (marital, parent-child, friendship, professional)

• Positively impacting the well-being of future generations

In order to facilitate rapid healing, it is necessary to look beyond the presenting symptoms and help you access and feel the core emotions that have been blocked from your conscious awareness. One of my unique subspecialties is attachment-based intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP), which was developed to overcome obstacles that most traditional psychotherapies cannot accomplish rapidly or at all. The knowledge I gained pursuing expertise in ISTDP informs my work even when I employ other therapeutic modalities like CBT to achieve the most robust results.

My approach combines:

• Insight into early life stresses and psychological symptoms 

• Study of attachment theory – the unique factors that affect how we learn to relate to ourselves and others 

• Understanding the effects of painful life experiences on our brains

• Expertise in healthy self-care and emotional regulation

I help my patients become competent and self-sufficient in their abilities to manage their lives successfully and to feel satisfied with their choices...instead of relying on me or others to validate and direct them. 

For whom does my form of psychotherapy work best? 

My form of psychotherapy is most suitable for people who have high motivation to change for the better: to relieve their suffering, end self-defeating patterns and habits, and fulfill their optimal potential. This form of psychotherapy is an active one, and I take a very involved stance with my clients. This is unlike some other forms of therapy where the client and/or therapist takes a passive stance and gets caught up in detailed storytelling that is detached from core emotion. Your active involvement, courage, and strong "will to get well" aided by my extensive training and structured help will substantially shorten the overall course of your therapy and expedite your progress and success.