Choosing a Therapist

When you are looking for a therapist, you want to choose the right one for you. Whether you’re working together online or in person, connecting well with your therapist is a key to successful therapy. Research shows that the therapist client relationship is an important part of a positive outcome. My approach is caring, compassionate and nonjudgmental. I collaborate with clients to promote the changes that they wish to make. All people have the ability to grow, change and resolve relationship conflicts. I offer therapeutic guidance and support and I welcome your call.

Individual Therapy

Sometimes you want to slow down and address things that are challenging you. Individual therapy is a great place to give yourself that time. Whether there are personal goals you would like to meet, relationship issues, or high stress levels which require coping skills, therapy can help. Maybe you feel like you are getting in your own way, sabotaging relationships or your own success, and you want to do something about it. Therapy is a good place to address what is going on.

You may be feeling anxious, depressed, or having anger outbursts and wonder “what is wrong with me?”  Sometimes these symptoms are signaling that something needs attention. Scheduling an individual session can give you that attention and help you get support.

Couples and Relationship Therapy

If you are having relationship difficulties, choosing a therapist who has a roadmap to help people create healthy relationships is essential. Many therapists don’t have extensive relationship training which is a subspecialty of psychotherapy. I have extensive training in this area because I love helping couples. Feel free to check out my relationships column in The Union newspaper, which is usually featured on the first Tuesday of the month. You can find the articles in my relationships blog on my website.

Education and Training

Beyond my Master’s level of education and passion for providing therapy, I have training in specific areas. My specialty in couples counseling is strengthened through years of ongoing training with the Couples Institute of Menlo Park. The theoretical approach of the Couples Institute is based on attachment theory, differentiation, and neuroscience. Additionally, I have training with The Institute for Relational Intimacy, to help people with sex issues in therapy. (Yes, it’s okay to talk about sex issues in therapy!) I have assisted in the program to guide other therapists in learning to help their clients as well.

Experience

I like to say that I have been a therapist long enough to know what I’m doing but not so long that I am not excited about the work. I love helping my clients and I have learned a lot by doing so. My experience includes working with parents through providing services through First 5 Nevada County, the Superintendent of Schools, and in my private practice. For almost nine years I was employed as Parenting Specialist through the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools. I have a wealth of training and experience to help parents have healthy relationships with their children. My best experience comes from working with my clients and finding out what helps them the most.

Location

I am located in Grass Valley, and nearby communities are Nevada City, Penn Valley, Lake Wildwood, Colfax, and Auburn. I am currently working in office and also online. As long as you are in the state of California, we can discuss the possibility of working together online.