Areas of Expertise
Men often face struggles throughout their lives that can be overlooked, and their experiences are sometimes minimized or invalidated. Many men grow up with the belief that they should "never be weak," a narrative that can lead to significant psychological challenges. This mindset often impedes their ability to form genuine connections and find authentic happiness. Struggling to communicate openly about their true feelings and fears, many men find it difficult to express vulnerability to their partners. They may also feel compelled to overachieve and seek perfection as a way to avoid pain and mistakes, making the avoidance of vulnerability a central part of their lives.
Most men haven't been taught how to identify or explore their emotions, nor have they been encouraged to express their feelings openly. I support my clients by helping them slow down and address their most pressing issues first. Through psychoeducation about the body and its nervous system, I aim to help clients regain a sense of control. Our work integrates evidence-based interventions, including Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and mindfulness techniques. I also approach this work from a trauma-informed perspective, ensuring a sensitive and supportive framework.
I work with individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, embracing and valuing identities beyond the five letters commonly recognized. My approach is deeply informed by ongoing research into the trauma experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals. This community is richly diverse, encompassing variations in age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, religious beliefs, and more. While these identities should be celebrated as strengths, they are often used to marginalize individuals, fostering self-doubt, negative thinking, and trauma-related symptoms.
Recognizing that each person's experience is unique, I focus on working with you as an individual. Together, we will explore the specific issues that bring you to counseling and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Trauma-
Trauma symptoms can arise when we experience moments in life that are beyond our emotional, physiological, psychological, and spiritual threshold. The experience can be confusing and disorganizing. It can keep us awake and restless, re-experiencing the trauma through flashbacks, and instill a cycle of avoidance. Our bodies feel different and respond differently. Our mind tries to organize what happened to help relieve the uncomfortable symptoms and often we forget or overlook important details. Trauma can have a lifelong impact on individuals and their loved ones.
The treatment of a person who has experienced trauma(s) is personal and should be tailored to that individual’s specific experience. I have had the honor and privilege of learning from highly respected professionals in the field of trauma research and treatment. I follow the guidelines outlined in Judith Herman’s heavily researched and successfully applied Stages of Trauma: Safety, Remembrance & Mourning, and Reintegration. This work is approached in very specific ways. I outline how the stages will likely be experienced and what can be expected during our work together. I have seen great success with these approaches. I encourage you to schedule a complimentary consultation with me so we can meet and review your treatment needs together.
Relationship Counseling-
Relationship problems can arise in traditional couple and family environments, as well as in more nontraditional arrangements. I encourage each member in the relationship to tell me about the problems from their perspective and in their own language. Effective communication is at the heart of the treatment process. I integrate evidence-based interventions aimed at increasing each person's communication skill level. Specifically, I anchor the treatment to the Gottman Method. It is the foundation to my relationship work while also integrating Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with mindfulness-based interventions and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) approaches. This combination of interventions has been proven to be effective in helping those individuals dealing with relationship problems appreciate, understand, and respect the need to stay calm, rational, and effective in their communication.
Addictions-Post-Treatment and Continuing Care-
I have researched and worked in the field of addiction treatment since 2005. I work with individuals who are currently in or beyond the “Contemplation Stage” in the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change). These individuals know there is a problem and are thinking through the pros and cons of change. Individuals who can integrate personalized skills-based training and feedback from a trained clinical professional while attending support groups and aftercare services tend to have higher rates of success in maintaining their long-term sobriety goals. Therefore, I work best with individuals who have completed in-patient or day-treatment to continue the work that treatment centers are typically unable to address during the more intensive treatment episodes. I work on the deeper issues that must be addressed to avoid relapse and to maintain balance in life.