my approach to our work in therapy
At the beginning of our work, we will explore what goals and hopes you have for therapy and assess your current circumstances and needs. We will work to develop trust and safety for you to explore challenging aspects of your life, and we will collaborate to support your growth and healing in the direction you desire. In addition to the therapeutic exploration we do, we will also identify any practical needs and resources you may want help connecting with.
My approach to therapy is informed by my training in psychodynamic and relational theories, which honor the impacts of family and attachment relationships, unconscious processes, and paying attention to the dynamics that arise in our relationship as two human beings. Together, we will consider your past and current experiences, and I will be listening to you with my whole being- to what’s being said verbally, but also to your body language, to pauses and silences, and to things that are NOT being said, to help bring forth what may be challenging but also healing to address, as you are ready. I also will pay attention to how we relate to each other and invite curiosity and exploration about this. As a white, queer, cisgender, able-bodied, Jewish therapist, I will attend to dynamics of power and privilege as they arise in therapy. I understand that larger systems of oppression are lived out in interpersonal relationships, and that exploring these dynamics in the therapeutic relationship, as well as how privilege and oppression impact our lived experiences are a necessary part of practicing transformative mental health. I will honor the many aspects of your identity (i.e. how you identify on the levels of culture, race, sexual orientation, gender, class, ability, etc.) and hold your experiences in this larger context as we work towards your therapeutic goals.
I have also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with Mara Tesler Stein at the Institute for Creative Mindfulness. This modality is a well-researched and effective way of supporting healing from any kind of trauma, as well as coping with symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. For more information about what EMDR is and how it may be useful to you, please watch this introductory video from the EMDR International Association explaining how EMDR works. If you are interested in pursuing EMDR therapy with me, we can discuss what this may look and feel like in our initial consultation, and I can answer any questions you have and guide you to resources to help you understand more about this offering.