Clinical Specialties

It is hard to get through life without some level of trauma. Trauma wounds can develop from relationships and threatening experiences that happen to us or to others.  It can be anything that happens in life that makes you feel like you or someone you love is at risk. Its also more about how we encode the event or experience. Some may not be aware that unresolved trauma can be an underlying issue causing many of our symptoms. Traumatic experiences can alter the way you experience yourself, others, and the world around you. It can suppress joy and keep you from making progress on your goals. I approach trauma as an injury, not an illness, which means it is highly treatable. Ignoring our trauma wounds prevents us from healing. Therapy can help process the trauma, learn skills to manage triggers, and develop resilience.

Our relationships have a significant impact on our health, positively and negatively. Relationships with friends, partners, family, colleagues, etc., can be a source of distress and pain. Navigating the complexities of relationships can feel overwhelming. Therapy for relationship challenges can include boundary development, healing from past hurt, identifying needs within a relationship, communication skills, dating, separation/divorce, adjusting to new roles, and navigating cross cultural relationships. I support clients through these challenges in individual, couples, and family therapy. 

Though grief is universal, individuals grieve and cope with losses in many different ways. Because of this, it can feel disorienting and confusing when how you feel doesnt align with what you think it should. Grief is often accompanied by unpredictable emotions, uncomfortable memories, being faced with difficult decisions, existential worries and questions, and a bunch of changes that impacts multiple parts of your life. Whatever the loss is and wherever you are in the grief process, I provide clients with a supportive and compassionate space to work through the grieving process in ways that honor your values, culture, and beliefs. 

There are unique challenges and tension for individuals navigating the intersections of two or more cultures. Cross-cultural issues do not necessarily have to be the focus of one's thinking but can still impact one's life decisions and psychological functioning. For example, general life issues (transitioning to college, changing jobs, getting married, raising children, etc.) may be influenced by cultural factors such as cultural values, parental values and expectations, experiences with racism, expectations of the ethnic community, balancing your needs and values with the family's needs and values.

Therapy can help one explore their cultural identity and its impact on their mental health and well-being and develop strategies to manage cultural stressors and build resilience. Even if cultural issues are not the focus of therapy, its important to have a therapist with cultural sensitivity. Cultural sensitivity has been identified as an important component of effective psychotherapy.

Personal growth and improving well-being are common reasons for seeking therapy. We are complex beings and as a result, our concerns don't always fit neatly into check boxes and categories. Therapy can also help individuals progress toward personal goals by clarifying our needs, identifying what may be missing, and working through the barriers that get in the way. Some general topics include self-development, self-understanding,  perfectionism, feeling unfulfilled.

I help clients diagnosed with ADHD (past or recent) better understand how their brain functions and processes information so that we can identify ways to live life more purposefully and manage symptoms that can sometimes get in the way. Topics addressed may include: 

• Recognizing strengths.
• Understanding the ways it negatively impacts productivity and relationships.
• Managing frustration, anxiety, and stress.
• Improving focus and managing distractions.
• Navigating obstacles.
• Communicating effectively.
• Practicing self-advocacy.
• Increasing confidence and self-compassion.

I help clients redefine their relationship with ADHD and the way it influences their daily life and relationships. 

Worrying is a natural reaction to life’s stressful moments. However, for some people anxiety can be so severe and persistent, it feels impossible to stop the worry.  Anxiety can also lead to panic attacks—severe episodes of anxiety that occur in response to specific triggers or out of the blue. Many times anxiety co-occurs with depression and both may stem from the same underlying issue. Untreated anxiety can interfere with one's ability to complete tasks, connect with others, and their health.

Anxiety appears in many ways. Some common ones are: 

1. Thoughts: Racing thoughts; negative thoughts about situations; expecting the worst outcomes; inability to make decisions; self-doubt. 
2. Body: disrupted sleep (difficulty falling asleep and/or waking up early); stomach/digestive issues; headaches and muscle tension; difficulty catching your breath; trembling or twitching; tightness in the chest; sweating; frequent urination; fatigue. 
3. Emotions: Irritability; feeling restless and keyed up; excessive worry and nervousness; difficulty trusting or feeling safe; feeling insecure or decrease in confidence.
4. Behaviors: Avoidance of situations (work, people, places); oversharing or freezing; difficulty sitting/staying still; increase in arguments with people around you. 

Fortunately, therapy for anxiety is highly effective in reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being. I help clients better understand their anxiety symptoms and increase their confidence with managing them, which helps them live more comfortably and authentically.