Licensed Clinical Social Worker
In Network: Aetna
In psychotherapy, as I practice it, I first work with you to establish a relationship based on trust. I aim to create an atmosphere that is safe, supportive, and compassionate. I see the struggles you bring to me as essentially human struggles, part of who we all are. I encourage you to take risks in what you share with me and risks in the world - both emotional and behavioral. Doing so can lead to growth and development where you might have felt stuck and stagnant before. When issues arise between us, that, too, becomes a powerful opportunity for growth. We explore these struggles too with curiosity and reflection - what am I doing? How does that affect you? And how might that be related to issues that occur in relationships in the world or relationships from your past? We explore these things together with openness, trust, and, again, compassion - as a relational experience from which we can both learn so we can better do our work together, more harmoniously and on the same page. For my part, I am committed to being open, flexible, and self-reflective, and I will encourage you to do the same. This process helps you deepen and create greater intimacy and satisfaction in essential relationships in your life - relationships that are sustaining and protecting against emotional despair.
As part of the Social Work tradition, I also work with you to recognize and build on your strengths, help you develop new coping skills, deepen our understanding of yourself and how you survived the challenges you faced throughout your development, bolstering your self-esteem and self-respect. I know you are unique, and I will approach you respectfully and honor your struggles and accomplishments. I will also honor and respect aspects of your identity, such as race, ethnicity, sexuality, and gender identity, that may differ from mine. I will honor, respect, and understand you from your perspective - and I am committed to identifying and putting aside my conscious and unconscious biases and assumptions.
I utilize a relational psychodynamic approach with my clients, but I also draw on cognitive and behavioral techniques, coping skills development, problem-solving, and other pragmatic ways of helping address the issues you bring to me. I work with you to gain self-awareness and, again, compassion as we come to understand the influence of past challenges (including trauma) on your present behaviors and emotions. I have worked with adolescents and adults of all ages and from all backgrounds in clinic, school, and hospital settings who bring issues of anxiety, depression, relationships, workplace and family conflict, past abuse, sexuality and gender identity, chronic illness, and challenging life transitions.
I received my Masters in Social Work from New York University, a highly regarded program. I also have specialized training in working with members of the LGBTQ community from the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and psychoanalytic training from the New York Center for Counseling and Guidance Services.
I am excited to be working at Bryant West Psychology and eager to work with you toward your goals in a treatment that is individualized to your unique needs.