Psychotherapy

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

I firmly believe that the way we see the world and ourselves is shaped throughout our lives by our upbringing, culture, experiences, and relationships. I place a lot of emphasis on helping people explore the experiences that have shaped their view of the world and of themselves so that this can be reflected upon and honored as we think together about how people want to change. This is one of the reasons that I approach treatment using a “psychoanalytic” approach.

So what does that mean?

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy focuses on:

• Gaining insight into why you continue with patterns that aren’t currently working for you.
• Understanding how your upbringing, family, and other relationships have shaped you.
• Exploring the story you tell yourself about who you are, and how to change that story.
• Understanding “unconscious” patterns — basically things that we do and feel for reasons that are not obvious to us. For example, why despite all your efforts you seem to date the same person that is “not good” for you over and over again.

I practice this form of therapy because I believe it honors the complexity of each person with whom I work. I have never believed that there are simple answers to most of the struggles we go through, and I think therapy needs to honor how confusing and challenging it can be to understand ourselves and change.

Now there is a chance that when I mentioned the word “psychoanalytic” the stereotype of lying on a couch, talking endlessly for years on end came to mind. You may have even thought of Freud himself. So let me put your mind at ease, you don’t have to lie on a couch to talk to me. And no, I am not just going to sit back and nod my head and tell you that your mother is to blame for all your problems. I am an interactive, warm, affirmative therapist who will be right there with you. I will help you dig deep to understand yourself, but I am not just going to be a spectator. I believe that you being able to trust me is one of the most important (and healing) parts of coming to therapy, and I strive to create an environment where you feel safe and supported.