Therapy does not need to be a long-term expensive endeavor. My goal is to tailor treatment to the individual’s specific needs and get them feeling better and back to actively participating in a meaningful life as quickly as is possible.
Whether in education, clinical practice, or research, I am intrigued by the interwoven tapestry of seemingly disconnected elements that come together to create the integrative whole that is the human experience. I am driven to explore behind the tapestry, to discover the hidden truths as to how those elements are interconnected, and to impart that information to the individual, so they can more effectively weave their next chapter.
I am interested in the individual and collective effects of lifestyle, sleep, exercise, and nutrition on mental health. Sometimes, a few adjustments in this area can be enough to help a person feel energized and ready to tackle bigger problems. Other times, we can find that a few unhealthy habits are making mental health problems bigger and far more challenging than what would normally be experienced. It has been my experience that people often have an easier time applying coping skills and other therapeutic strategies after they have reviewed and adjusted some of these aspects of their life.
As I am opposed to a one-size fits all approach to therapy, I have chosen to familiarize myself with numerous methods of treatment in order to have more options when trying to personalize someone’s treatment plan:
- Humanistic, Existential, Transpersonal, Ecological
- Hypnotherapy, Guided Imagery, Mindfulness Training
- Psychoeducation, Social Skills Training, Harm Reduction, Strength-Based, Solution-Focused
- Cognitive, Behavioral, Dialectical, Motivational Interviewing
- Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise, Natural Sunlight, Pets, Nature
And finally, I do not believe in assuming that I automatically know what is best for the individual. I therefore approach treatment goal setting in a collaborative manner with their thoughts, opinions, and concerns at the forefront of treatment planning.