I'm a trauma-informed therapist who's had the privilege of training under some of the brightest minds in mental healthcare at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Washington in Seattle. Many clients come to me reporting depression. And it's true, they're depressed. 

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But why are they depressed?

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As we begin to talk, sometimes the client and I discover that underneath the depression lies traumatic events from their first marriage, college years, or childhood. We talk about their symptoms, such as always feeling on guard. They may have enough symptoms to warrant being diagnosed with PTSD.

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That's why it's important to find a therapist who isn't just going to chat with you for 50 minutes. You need to understand the why behind your symptoms. All of my training and work with dozens of clients has prepared me to not only help you figure out why you're feeling bad but how to get better.

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I primarily provide psychodynamic therapy, which helps a person locate the root causes of their emotional suffering. “Its hallmarks are self-reflection and self-examination,” according to the American Psychological Association. Research conducted at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine found psychodynamic therapy produces a large amount of change in clients and leads to “ongoing change, even after therapy has ended,” according to a statement from the study’s author. 

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Critics of psychodynamic therapy sometimes claim that it takes years to work. I have not found that to be true with my clients. Positive changes usually begin emerging in their lives, through our hard work together, within three months (12 sessions). 

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Important to self-reflection and self-examination is mindfulness. UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center defines mindfulness as “a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.” It can include meditation. It can include grounding exercises. It can include just enjoying quiet moments with yourself. 

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At times, I also utilize tools from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to help clients manage their symptoms in the short-term. CBT focuses on unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to a client’s distress. 

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For clients with PTSD, I may also recommend eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which you can read about in the next section.​

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Please take a look at the Openings and Insurance page prior to requesting an appointment.

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