I provide individual and family therapy to individuals who are looking for help to cope with life's various twists and turns. I utilize an organic approach to gain an understanding of your specific life situations and stressors that are contributing to your current feelings. I use positive affirmations, strength identification and skill building to encourage you to reach your personal goals. We will work quickly to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms while we learn to identify triggers that may cause these feelings in order to focus on making long term changes that will help you to move forward through life.

I take a client-centered approach in my work with individuals and families, offering support that is aligned with my clients' goals. Therapy is not about just looking at problems or what is getting in the way; it is about expanding one's capacity to experience a fuller and more meaningful life.

Psychotherapy, as I define it to my patients and students, is the collaborative inquiry between patient and therapist into the patient's patterns of interaction and patterns of expection. This kind of study leads to greater personal and interpersonal freedom, which allows for the reduction or the elimination of symptoms. Psychotherapy can be of brief duration or an extended enterprise focusing on long term difficulties. The decision on which form of psychotherapy to undertake is usually based on an evaluation of 1 to 3 sessions, where a treatment plan is developed. I am interactive in my approach.

**Not currently accepting new patients** For over 25 years I have worked with adolescents, adults, couples and families to increase their satisfaction, pleasure and functioning in relationships, work and school. I help people address feelings like depression, anxiety, anger and insecurity along with behaviors that may include addiction, poor school/work performance, ineffective communication or infidelity. Working with couples is a major focus in my practice and a topic I teach to both graduate and post-graduate students.

I am a seasoned therapist who has worked extensively with individuals, couples and families through both the typical struggles of life as well as serious life crises. In therapy,I help my clients to identify their strengths and develop resilience and resources in the face of their challenges.Trust and safety are the bedrock of our work, and I believe that my clients value the caring, respect and experience I offer. Our work together includes clarifying the issues that trouble you, determining achievable treatment goals, and exploring both the obstacles as well as the pathways to reaching your goals.

I am a high energy, direct, relational therapist. I work hard to help clients articulate their goals and then take measurable steps towards achieving them. If you are looking for a therapist who is lively and a "straight shooter", I might be a good fit for you. In addition, I work well with motivated individuals, who may be struggling, but are also interested in creating change in their life.

A client recently told me,"You have this amazing ability to listen and give me support in such a caring way that I always leave with a positive attitude. I have learned so much about myself." Finding a good therapist on the Internet can be challenging. The process may feel overwhelming or arbitrary. The most important indicator of success in therapy is the connection you will build with your therapist. My objective is to help you find answers, make decisions, and unload burdens in a way that feels comfortable for you. My clients routinely report improved mood and greater insight.

I have been practicing psychotherapy with individuals and couples for more than 30 years. My style is interactive and I try to provide safety and support in order to understand and explore the issues and concerns you bring forward. I have extensive training and experience in using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing}. Additionally I use a mix of relational, psychodynamic and cognitive approaches.

My mission is to provide my clients the skills, experience, and support necessary to achieve their goals and become confident capable individuals. My alternative style of therapy blends traditional talk therapy with non-traditional therapeutic methods such as wilderness therapy, music therapy, art therapy, mindfulness-based practices, and outdoor recreational groups (e.g. rock climbing, biking, hiking, camping, canoeing).

I am an interactive, insight-oriented and solution-focused therapist. With compassion and understanding, I will work with you to help you build on your strengths, and attain the personal growth you are looking for.

I believe each of us, despite inner conflict and challenges, has an inner core of strength, calm and compassion. I work with adults, teens and couples, to help them uncover their best selves. I provide a warm, nurturing environment, where I teach you the tools needed to make positive steps. Common issues I treat are: Anxiety and Mood problems, Relationship Conflicts, Teen/Young Adult Issues, Parenting, Compulsive behaviors, Grief, Sexuality/Gender Issues, Non-traditional families. Whether you want to explore negative patterns, trust issues, mourn current or past losses, understand yourself better within relationships, or problem solve a current challenge, I can help you.

*My practice is full as of Nov 2020* As a psychologist, I help adults and college students explore their experiences, thoughts and emotions within in a supportive and optimally challenging environment. My clients generally want to improve quality of life, strengthen relationships, reduce struggles with food, and recover from traumatic experiences. I love to help people navigate identity changes such as new motherhood, and also cultural or sexual identity. Mostly though, I just enjoy working with anyone who is curious and reflective.

Note: At this time, I am not accepting new patients. I help people who are having a hard time, often because of anxiety, relationships, work, and life transitions. People who call me have reached a point where they feel ready for or curious about how therapy could help. I listen closely to your story to learn about your current difficulties as well as your strengths and capacities. We'll discuss possible approaches to help you feel better. Then, together we will make a plan. I have extensive experience offering problem-solving skills, CBT, IPT, and other relationship-focused psychodynamic therapy.

In therapy, the client and I enter into a collaboration to find new ways to problem-solve, reduce suffering, discover patterns and build new life paths. As part of this process, I help the client: to learn about patterns of thought and behavior, to learn to be with unpleasant experiences instead of avoiding them or grasping for something else, and to practice awareness, self-compassion and curiosity, habits of mind that help bring about positive change. I have a gentle, direct, and engaging approach that encourages and supports the client.

**Unfortunately, I am not accepting new clients at this time** Sometimes life throws us curveballs, and we might feel stressed, overloaded, or struggle to make decisions. You might be struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, unhealthy relationship patterns, major life decisions, professional and academic performance, or parenting issues. These challenges might be keeping you up at night or are interfering with your peace of mind. As a therapist, my primary goal is to provide a safe, confidential, and nonjudgmental environment for my clients, to explore their thoughts and feelings.

Please call me directly for a free 15 minute phone consultation to learn more about my approach and availability. My office is located at the Newton/Wellesley border with plenty of parking available.

It is not uncommon to realize we are living lives we never planned on. We may be in an active crisis, or a life transition, or we may realize that we are stuck, or that things are just not working. Often, present-day challenges can be traced back to old patterns of relating, perceiving, understanding, and behaving. I help my clients identify and understand old patterns, and then develop greater flexibility in how they relate and respond. I work with them to adopt new practices which will allow them to move away from impasses and towards lives that are more fulfilling, productive and connected.

My job is to help individuals and families navigate complex living situations. I do so by creating a safe place for individuals to explore their inner thoughts and actions, and guide them to better understand their roles and opportunities in the world. I specialize in working with the adolescent, college-aged and adult populations, and the challenges that come from it, particularly anxiety, academic stress, adjustment issues, relationship issues, depression and ADHD. *I have limited availability, please call and inquire about any openings*

A lot of thought can go into choosing a therapist for you or your family member. Therapy starts with a unique personal relationship that has appropriate professional boundaries and allows you to explore your present dilemma and its relationship to your inner life. With children I use play and talk. With older adolescents and adults therapy is primarily verbal but it is always important to keep a sense of playful exploration even when facing difficult or painful issues. If this approach sounds right for you contact me to set up an initial visit.