Specializations
My theoretical background is eclectic, although I employ the use of attachment theory, EMDR, and family systems work. I work in a number of configurations. I see individuals, couples, children & families. My practice includes clients of various ethnicities and sexual orientations. I work with folks of all ages.
Individuals
The heart of successful therapy is the quality of attachment between client and therapist. In fact, it is the heart connection that acts as the force for real change. With all clients, the first matter is to identify what the person is seeking from treatment. For individual therapy, the treatment hour is meant to be the client's own space. In many instances, persons are healing from childhood wounds that are unconsciously being reenacted in adulthood. I employ the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) quite often. This is a tool that is especially beneficial for reprocessing physical or psychological trauma, (referred to as posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD) and can also be used for numerous other kinds of symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and grief. With EMDR it is amazing how people often move very quickly through what may have kept them stuck for a long time.
There can be any number of reasons a person enters psychotherapy. Perhaps the person is in a stage of life transition, either changing careers, about to have a baby, launching children, etc. The client decides what is to be the central focus of their work. In part, my job is to hold the client to their goals. Of course, this may change over time.
Couples
When I work with couples I am curious as to how well the partners know themselves individually. Quite often couples come into therapy with the idea that their mate is the one with the problem. I want the couple to shift their focus from the nature of the conflict to focus on the ruptured connection between the two parties. People may seek couples therapy for premarital counseling, to amend the marriage contract, and to accommodate life changes with one another.
Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who has worked with many couples, and has found that we unconsciously choose a partner who contains both the positive, and negative qualities of our parents. He poses that in so doing, we are each seeking a partner to help us heal our childhood wounds. This philosophy of understanding relationships is really quite revolutionary. I highly recommend the partners each read his book, "Getting the Love You Want". The goal is to have the couple shift their attention away from meeting all of their needs to focusing on what their relationship needs from each of them.
Families & Children
In working with families, I am curious about its structure, as well as who holds the power. As an example, one child may have been placed in the parenting role. There can be varying alliances within the family, such as one parent and one child, which may serve to prevent emotional intimacy between the adults. These factors can affect how decisions get made, and whether or not there is shared power within the family.
Children like to draw and play games, which help to foster an attachment between child and therapist as well as to provide valuable insight into how the child is thinking and feeling. EMDR has been found to be very successful with children. Parents frequently come to therapy with the belief that their child needs to be "fixed" due to acting out at school or home. I believe parents need to be active participants in the therapy to create lasting change.
My practice includes the San Francisco area.
Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC 44579
Serving San Francisco and environs.