"One of the deepest longings of the human soul is to be seen." - John O'Donohue
Insurance Taken:
United Healthcare, Optum, UMR, United EAP
Specialties:
Anxiety/OCD
Depression
Difficulty Regulating Emotions
General Life Stressors / Transitions
Grief
Medical Related Stressors
No specific reason, just want to feel better
Relationship Stressors
Self Esteem / Self Doubt
Therapeutic Approach
My approach to therapy is to gain an understanding of who you are, the issues that bring you in, and to work together toward solutions for change. I focus on exploring methods that fit for you, to cope and problem solve, starting with our first session. We may try these skills out (relaxation or deep breathing, communication approaches or problem solving) during our time together and I may ask you to practice between sessions too. I honor and respect that you are the expert when it comes to you!
Specializations & Interests
I am from the midwest and moved to Arizona in the early 2000's to work with alcohol and drug addiction. I also have specialized training in grief recovery, focusing on emotions, and addressing how thoughts and feelings affect behaviors (CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). I believe that focusing on your strengths, your awareness, the meaning and purpose in your life can increase a sense of contentment and fulfillment. We may use Positive Psychology or Mindfulness to do just that. I enjoy working with young adults around issues of self-esteem, life changes and transitions and family challenges. I also work with people in their 30's, 40's, 50, 60's, 70's and 80's. I contend that later years in life bring unique challenges, sometimes related to medical issues and this can create a ripe environment for anxious and sad feelings. To that end, I trained with a Canadian psychiatrist (Harvey Chochinov), who developed a counseling theory (Dignity Therapy) for palliative care.
Biography
Before working at Helpful, I worked in a psychiatric hospital in Scottsdale, managing social workers and counselors. I also worked in my own private practice and in an intensive outpatient program (The Meadows-Scottsdale), where mental health and addictive disorders are treated. For fun, I enjoy spending time with my partner, my son, and my grand-dog, Hazel. She's a Chihuahu-Daschund mix and a wonderful combination of gentle, smart and athletic! I also enjoy early morning swims to get the day off to a good start. When desert weather permits, I play pickleball at a local park with my partner or girlfriends. I also like to walk the neighborhood in the evenings. On weekends I decompress with restorative/relaxing yoga, which thankfully is inside! What humbles me more than anything are close relationships. When they go well, I don't want anything to change. And then, inevitably, change happens. I'm old enough to know, this is the nature of life. Like lots of other people, I don't like it when I don't get what I want. So, I use the tools I've learned along the way. I ask for help when I need it. I focus on what's going right. And I work on spiritual connection through movement, breath, writing and connecting with others.
