Sometimes, life presents us with challenges from within or without and our reactions to these challenges may leave us with unresolved and negative experiences, perspectives, and perceptions.

Our reaction to the challenge may be a mild or moderate experience of unease, discomfort, or another negative perception. Sometimes, the challenge may trigger more severe reactions including feelings and perceptions of misery, suffering, or even hopelessness.

In considering the use of therapy to address these challenges, we would explore the presenting challenge in order to understand if it is chronic and long-term in nature or, if it is experienced more as situational and short-term in nature.

Sometimes, the situational challenge seems to just arise in our lives whereas other times, we may discover that it can be identified with or linked to lifelong patterns that we have never fully resolved or found a way to experience with a genuine sense of peace or acceptance.

Learn more about common symptoms or experiences that therapy can address here.

Trauma and traumatic experiences, left unchecked, can have a debilitating effect on one’s ability to function well, or even to function at all.

Trauma impacts our internal sense of self and our place in the world. Trauma is said to be an “inner injury,” a lasting injury within due to difficult or hurtful events.

As Gabor Mate writes in his book, The Myth of Normal: “Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you.”

Many people who have experienced trauma may be unaware of its presence and mistake its symptoms for another cause or even with the idea that the suffering caused by trauma is just a part of life.

Treatment based on trauma-informed care (TIC) practices and principles are necessary to address the impact of trauma. Effective diagnosis and treatment of trauma can heal and restore a healthy sense of one’s true self. It can also set the stage for a person who has never had the opportunity to experience a sense of safety and beauty within to experience what that is like.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition or have experienced trauma in your life, you may benefit from specific therapeutic approaches, tools, and educational resources targeted to your needs.

I’m skilled in working with those who have a past mental health diagnosis, including but not limited to:

•Trauma (including childhood trauma)

•Depression

•Anxiety

•Stress-related disorders

•Abandonment issues

•Attachment issues

•Adjustment disorder

•Challenges to functioning well, despite repeated efforts for change

Inspired by years of spiritual practice and deep engagement with A Course in Miracles, I offer this work for those who view life as a spiritual journey and who feel a yearning to access a more authentic version of themselves. It’s for those who don’t necessarily have a clinical diagnosis but feel that “something is missing” from life. Rather than viewing the mind, body, and spirit as separate entities, spiritual psychotherapy recognizes the interconnectedness of it all.

Through a compassionate therapeutic relationship that invites deep exploration, you will learn to develop and engage inner awareness so that the external world alone does not dominate your experience or your psyche. Your challenges will be considered opportunities for growth, rather than a pathological problem that needs solving or suppressing.

Together, we will identify and process blocks to your inner peace. Importantly, we’ll also work toward identifying an authentic solution. For those who feel called to it, we may work through A Course in Miracles or explore other spiritual principles and pathways together.

With nearly two decades of experience working with individuals and families contending with addiction, I specialize in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and care. I will work with you to explore and identify treatment approaches that are best suited to your presenting needs and preferences, based on sound science.

I take a whole-person approach to supporting those living with SUD by addressing needs to stabilize the person and addressing life areas impacted by SUD including underlying issues. I will work with the individual to identify ways that aid and honor life goals and recovery efforts which may include harm reduction, relapse prevention planning, aftercare planning, developing or regaining coping skills, and identifying effective support(s).

In addition, I have a specialized knowledge of 12 step programs and how to apply the 12 steps, and can serve as a guide in that area for those in which that approach resonates.

Are you looking for support with issues surrounding sexuality, gender expression, coming out, or other matters unique to the LGBTQ+ community? Or, are you simply seeking a trusted professional that can provide a safe space for you to speak freely and unencumbered? I am experienced in, and passionate about, working with LGBTQ+ men, women, and gender diverse people.

In addition to my lived experience, my education, training, and understanding of gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual issues allows me to address these and other issues relevant to the LGBTQ+ community with compassion and understanding.