What Therapy Looks Like
My Therapeutic Approach
My approach to therapy is grounded in science, trauma-informed, and tailored to each individual. I use evidence-based approaches and treatments — those supported by rigorous research — while remaining flexible and responsive to your specific needs, goals, and lived experience.
Broadly, my therapeutic approach is based primarily on three different (but complementary) frameworks: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I also heavily draw from mindfulness-based treatments. Together, I use these approaches to help you build the practical skills and psychological flexibility to create values-driven, sustainable change.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based theoretical approach that helps you better understand how your thoughts, emotions, and actions are all interconnected. CBT is very goal-oriented. We would work together to find the patterns that are keeping you stuck and help you develop new, more effective ways of coping. CBT has been found to be effective in treating a wide variety of mental health challenges.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is an evidence-based theoretical approach that helps you develop a healthier relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions. The goal isn't to get rid of (or even to change) difficult thoughts and feelings, but to build flexibility and shift how you interact with these experiences so that they have less power over you. In other words, it’s about learning how to co-exist with these experiences while continuing to move towards your values and the kind of life you want.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an evidence-based theoretical approach driven by the idea that two seemingly opposing things can be true at once (the dialectic!), such as accepting yourself as you are while also working towards changing aspects that aren’t working for you. It is heavily skills-based to help you better manage strong emotions, tolerate distressing situations, improve relationships, and improve communication.
To learn more about specific evidence-based treatments I am trained and experienced in providing, click here.
Formats of the Therapy Services I Provide
I offer therapy in the following formats:
Individual Therapy: one-on-one sessions. For adults, important members of your life may be included in a session occasionally, if appropriate and as needed. For children (especially younger children), parents are frequently heavily involved to support their learning and skill-building.
Family Therapy: therapy focused on the family as a whole. Family members regularly attend sessions together, typically to work on communication, emotion regulation, and conflict resolution, among other skills.
Group Therapy: therapy conducted with others seeking support on a similar issue. Groups allow you to learn skills and process with others who are experiencing a similar challenge. More information will be posted here as I develop the groups. Please reach out if you have questions regarding specific groups that will be offered.
Stages of the Therapy Process (Individual Therapy)
Consultation
If you are interested in my therapy services, please reach out by clicking the button found below. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to all prospective clients, during which you can ask me questions and we can get a sense of whether we may be a good fit. If I believe I may not be the best fit for you, I can provide referrals to other therapists and providers.
Intake and Assessment
If you decide to move forward, we will schedule our first appointment. The first 1-2 sessions will be primarily focused on assessment, during which I will ask you many questions to develop a thorough understanding of the challenges you are experiencing. As part of this assessment process, I may ask you to complete brief, research-supported questionnaires (and intermittently throughout treatment as well). This approach, known as measurement-based care, allows us to track progress, see patterns over time, and adapt treatment as needed. Measurement-based care helps make therapy more responsive, and research has continually found it to improve treatment effectiveness.
Treatment, Graduation, and Maintenance
I will develop a treatment plan based on the information gathered during the assessment phase. After reviewing the treatment plan with you, treatment begins. Treatment typically consists of weekly 50-minute sessions. For any clients needing more support, we can discuss the possibility of multiple therapy sessions per week (determined on a case-by-case basis). “Graduation” from treatment occurs when treatment goals have been met. We may schedule an occasional “booster session” to further support you in applying the skills you’ve learned in treatment to your life, if needed.
