Therapy Approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Have you ever noticed how two people can experience the exact same situation but walk away feeling completely different? That's because it's often our interpretation of an experience, not just the experience itself that shapes how we feel and respond.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you become more aware of the thoughts and beliefs influencing your emotions and behaviors. Together, we'll identify patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, or feeling stuck. Rather than simply replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, we'll explore whether those thoughts are accurate, helpful, and aligned with the person you want to be.

I love using CBT because it gives clients practical tools they can use in everyday life. When we learn to respond to ourselves with greater awareness, flexibility, and compassion, we naturally begin to feel less overwhelmed and more confident in handling life's challenges.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Many of the beliefs we hold about ourselves, others, and the world begin to develop in our earliest relationships. These attachment experiences can continue to influence how we cope with stress, navigate relationships, and view ourselves throughout life.

Psychodynamic therapy helps uncover these patterns so they can be understood rather than unconsciously repeated. My approach emphasizes developing insight into the experiences that shaped you while creating a safe, compassionate space to process them.

I believe awareness is the foundation for change. Before we can effectively challenge patterns, it's important to understand where they came from and how they've served us. Once we understand the "why" behind our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, we can use evidence-based strategies like CBT and mindfulness to build new ways of responding.

Mindfulness Techniques

When we're anxious, overwhelmed, or stressed, it's easy to get caught up in racing thoughts or feel disconnected from our bodies. Mindfulness helps us slow down and reconnect with the present moment.

In our work together, I may incorporate breathing exercises, grounding techniques, guided imagery, or other mindfulness practices to help you notice your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations with curiosity rather than judgment. These skills can help you feel more grounded during difficult moments, reduce emotional overwhelm, and respond intentionally.

I love incorporating mindfulness because it teaches us that we don't have to fight our emotions or make them disappear. Fighting them actually makes them feel more intense. Instead, we can learn to make space for them, understand what they're telling us, and move through them with greater self-compassion.

Compassion-Focused Therapy

Many of us have an inner voice that's quick to criticize but slow to offer kindness. Over time, that self-criticism can lead to anxiety, shame, perfectionism, and feeling like you're never quite "enough."

Compassion-Focused Therapy helps you understand where that inner critic came from and learn a new way of relating to yourself. Together, we'll practice responding to difficult moments with greater compassion, curiosity, and understanding instead of judgment.

I believe lasting change happens when we stop fighting ourselves and start working with ourselves. Learning self-compassion doesn't mean ignoring your struggles. It means meeting them with the same kindness and support you would offer someone you deeply care about.