Mental health therapy carries many different theoretical perspectives that can seem ambiguous. I'll attempt to straightforwardly and briefly discuss a few of them while outlining my own therapeutic approach. Please note that the clinical language and my own knowledge and expertise are continually evolving, so this is not an exhaustive list of what to expect when working with me.

Psychodynamic Theory - Relies on a belief that one's current self has unconscious underpinnings that were strongly influenced by their past. I want to emphasize that when I use the term unconscious, I am not necessarily referring to uncontrollable conduct, subliminal messages, or slips of the tongue.  One way to understand the unconscious state is to view them as very quick and reflexive mental behaviors that have been reinforced by past experiences, and the purpose of these behaviors is to relieve discomfort. In session, we may find that a person who reports feelings of worthlessness may also have a history of being harshly disparaged by their parents. As a child, that person may have adopted and internalized excessive self-critical notions of themselves. While their self-criticisms may not sound soothing, if a person already believes they are worthless, it will probably hurt less whenever someone else, especially a loved one, labels them as such. I operate within a psychodynamic framework to help you connect with your experiences and process your past to reconstruct your present.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Generally, there is a 3-way interaction between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For example, a person tells themself that they will perform poorly at a public speaking presentation (thoughts), so they are tangled in dread and endure heart palpitations (feeling), and they decide to make an excuse to cancel the event, or they intentionally underprepare because they feel that failure will happen regardless (behavior).  Each component in this cognitive triangle can reinforce each other (i.e., it can become a perpetual loop that strengthens the maladaptive cycle). I help to identify these seemingly automatic actions to restructure them into more rational, meaningful, and productive ways. 

Person-Centered Therapy - Sometimes referred to as Client-Centered or Rogerian Therapy, this approach exercises a non-judgmental framework and an empathetic connection to promote self-awareness. Rather than acting as a director who imposes blueprints that label what thoughts and actions are unacceptable, Person-Centered Therapy allows the person themself to realize and accept their most beneficial routes. In this situation, I act more as an informative and supportive guide. When a person can maximize their autonomy, it raises their confidence, fosters self-acceptance, and improves self-efficacy.

Gottman Method - This approach was developed after decades of research, on thousands of couples, by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. It utilizes ostensibly pragmatic techniques to help couples create, maintain, or reform stable relationships. While the research is primarily on couples, this methodology can also benefit other relationships, such as with peers or relatives. There are many aspects and dimensions within the Gottman Method, but I appreciate their overall straightforwardness and simplicity, and I utilize them to help reach tangible relationship goals.

Within all of my approaches, I want to emphasize that my foundations are also rooted in both Multicultural and Holistic perspectives. Within the multicultural framework, I try to consider one's identity, which can encompass anything from race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, culture, faith/spirituality, ability, education, institutionalized struggles, class, etc. The intersections of these identities is an important aspect of my theoretical lens, and I believe therapy is most effective when it considers the full spectrum of your identity. Regarding holistic perspectives, I respect methodologies beyond talk therapy. I believe there is significant credibility and correlation between mental health and physical movements (e.g., breathing, martial arts, yoga), nutrition, complementary and alternative medicine (e.g., massage, acupuncture, herbal medicines), and spiritual wellbeing (e.g., mindfulness, art, music). Additionally, I will always be transparent and mention where my expertise lies (and where it doesn't), so while I am not an expert in all of these areas, I appreciate their potential benefits, and we can use them to explore the intricacies of your life circumstances. Lastly, I offer a welcoming space for all communities.