Personal Statement

Psychotherapy is about alleviating emotional pain and fostering wholeness, vitality, and effectiveness across all areas of life. In order to do this, a vital part of therapeutic success is forming a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, while challenging you to grow and change in ways that move you towards your goals. My approach centers on creating a warm, collaborative and interactive therapeutic setting in which painful or troubling feelings, thoughts, memories, and issues can be understood, faced and worked through, often leading to real-life positive changes.

Goals are tailored to each individual, and can be brief and focused, or longer-term and more depth-oriented. Often therapy begins by focusing on relief from emotional and other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, anger, or hopelessness. Sometimes, troubling behaviors, such as addictions, procrastination, avoidance, and emotional pain are the intial focus of treatment. From there, therapy may involve deeper explorations aimed at producing a richer sense of oneself, greater personal agency, and more satisfying, richer relationships with others and one's life endeavors.

My background speaks to my diverse interests and specialties. I was affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs (Northern California) for over 15 years. I am past clinical director of Pacific Center for Human Growth, a mental health clinic serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community in Berkeley. I have also worked at the University of California, Berkeley counseling center, and have provided periodic trainings to their staff. Additionally, I have provided numerous workshops on conducting depth-oriented psychotherapy, supervision, and working with specific psychological issues (please contact me for a list of courses taught) to various agencies.