Psychotherapy is a process that can take different forms. Sometimes, therapy is short term, focused on a current issue, or particular symptoms. Other times, therapy can be long term, particularly if problems are longstanding, if there are life patterns that create deep vulnerabilities, or if the situation is complex. Symptom relief is very important, but I also think that deeper consideration can strengthen us and heal patterns, resulting in longer term relief and lasting change. Insight can be the entryway to new ways of being.

I work from a psychodynamic perspective, which means that I believe that our thoughts, decisions and behavior are influenced by our emotions, past experiences, culture, physical health and other factors. Our feelings may be very complex and contradictory, and it seems to me that we are not always aware of the layers of our thoughts and emotions. Therapy, even short term therapy, is always an exploration of how our minds work and how we experience ourselves and other people.   

Therapy is a two person process, where we work together to understand the interaction of various aspects of experience and emotional life, with goals of reduced suffering, greater self-awareness, an ability to live fully, engaged in meaningful relationships.

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