“Things seem unbearable,
and we bear them,
and we are enlarged and somehow freed by the process.”
— KATE JOHNSON
CONSIDERING PSYCHOTHERAPY?
If you are considering psychotherapy, you are probably suffering in some way. The reasons may be obvious, or they may be clouded and complex. Either way, you want relief. It would be great to get that relief quickly.
On another level, you sense the need for more than a quick fix. You want a deeper, lasting change. There is the current moment, as well as its much older roots. Both need attention in order to find relief that is transformative.
Focus Areas
Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for a variety of problems. Some of the issues I see in my practice include:
Depression and anxiety
Relationship struggles
Parenting
Trauma
Substance abuse
Work stress
Shame
“Imposter Syndrome”
Longing for or avoiding intimacy
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
Social, political, global overwhelm
Climate anxiety
Grief and loss
Stage of life transitions, young and old
Specializations
Superwomen
I see you.
You probably don’t self-identify as a “superwoman.” You just do what needs to get done, day in, day out, and it’s a lot.
People depend on you, and you strive to never let them down. If you are on a path to burnout, something needs to shift. You nurture others, but who is nurturing you?
Together we will tend to the places in you that need care. You can feel gentler with yourself and others. You can decide what matters most to you, and what to let go of.
Parenting Special Kids
Perinatal trauma. Medical complexity, surgeries, hospitalizations. Neurodivergence. Sensory issues. Twice exceptional.
I’ve been there, friend. The struggle is real. You’re going to need community, circles of support. It also helps to have deep empathy from someone who gets it.
“Normal” parenting is challenging enough. This is legitimately harder. I can provide the support you need to gain perspective and confidence as your child develops. This will help you AND your exceptional child.
Healing From Trauma
Step back into the flow of life.
This is an exciting time in field of trauma therapy. There is an abundance of new research about how trauma impacts us and how it is healed. The science continues to confirm what we know intuitively.
We heal in the context of relationships.
I have 20 years of experience supporting folks with a history of trauma to release unhelpful patterns and move toward post-traumatic growth. (It’s a thing!)
I have recently added a new offering to my practice: a listening therapy called The Safe and Sound Protocol. SSP is not intended to be a stand-alone treatment, but it dovetails nicely with relational talk therapy.
Stay tuned. More on the SSP coming soon. In the meantime, enjoy this brilliant 9-minute video about your nervous system.
Please contact me if you have questions about whether you could benefit from the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Elderhood
“Aging is not for sissies.”
Your body deteriorates, your mind starts to fail, and you’re supposed to do this with “dignity” and “grace?” Give me a break! Whoever said that hasn’t started losing their friends, or had a nasty fall and is now afraid to leave the house alone.
The changes that come with aging are often hard to accept. Seniors deserve a safe place to express vulnerable feelings and get support. If you thought therapy was for “crazy” people, times have changed. Talking with someone who understands the particular challenges of old age can provide relief and comfort.
At this stage of life, peace of mind is a wonderful gift to give yourself and those who love you.
Caregiving
Caring for an aging loved one is not easy.
The logistics are stressful. It’s expensive. You’re juggling this plus other responsibilities.
If your loved one has dementia, it’s confusing for everyone. They’re no longer who they used to be, and you don’t know what to expect. The role reversal causes emotional strain. In addition to anxiety and anticipatory grief, you may have feelings you’re ashamed of such as anger, resentment, or worse.
Caregivers need care too, in order to show up at their best. You may feel you don’t have time for therapy, but you might find it frees up space inside you that you didn’t know you had. You, and your loved one, stand to benefit.
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ELDERHOOD & CAREGIVING:
On LOK
For the past 12 years I have had the privilege of being part of the interdisciplinary care team at On Lok PACE in Noe Valley. On Lok provides comprehensive medical care and support services for frail seniors, in collaboration with their families whenever possible. Our population ranges from late 50s to over 100, from cognitively intact to advanced dementia, from functionally independent to total care, and everything in between. Caring for seniors has been more rewarding than I ever imagined. I’m honored to continue this work alongside my private practice.
Fees & Insurance
Please contact me to discuss my current fee. I am not on any insurance panels although some insurers will cover out-of-network providers. Please contact your insurer for details about your specific coverage.
I maintain a limited number of sliding scale spots for BIPOC folks with a demonstrated financial need. Please inquire about availability.