Making the decision to seek support can be a difficult task and shows courage. Opening up and sharing your private thoughts, emotions, fears, and experiences with a therapist can be frightening. However, within a trusting, confidential, and healthy therapeutic relationship, it can also be rewarding and beneficial. I make it a point to never take for granted the gift clients give in revealing their personal history in the context of therapy. I endeavor to assist you in gaining insight and using new approaches to make positive adjustments in your interpersonal, family, social, and work life.
Psychotherapy is the most frequently used form of treatment for addressing a wide variety of mental health concerns and stressors. It is typically done in the privacy of an office or via teletherapy, one-to-one, with “talk therapy” as the primary means of engagement. It may involve homework and other activities in-between therapy appointments. For the best outcomes, you and I will work together to determine the most appropriate frequency and best level of treatment to meet your goals.
Brainspotting, developed by David Grand, Ph.D., is a Neuroexperiental therapy for healing and expansion. Brainspotting utilizes the brain, brainstem, and nervous system’s natural ability to heal from trauma, process painful emotions, and expand into desired states of being (expansion). The statement, “Where you look affects how you feel,” refers to how this processing takes place using the visual field, while connecting to body-based activations or resources, focused-mindful processing, and dual attunement. The visual field, through the retina, is composed of neurons and travels deep into the brain’s subcortex, where memories of trauma and difficult experiences are reflected in psychological and physical symptoms. Brainspotting allows for change to take place in fewer sessions and more concisely than talk therapy alone. For this reason, Brainspotting is a powerful intervention recommended for all clients.
Clinical Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic modality that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to access a deeply relaxed, yet heightened state of awareness — often referred to as a trance state. In this state, the mind becomes more open and receptive to positive suggestion, allowing us to gently explore and address thoughts, beliefs, and patterns that may be contributing to distress or holding you back from the life you desire.
Contrary to common misconceptions, hypnotherapy is not about losing control or being “put to sleep.” You remain fully aware and in control throughout the process. Think of it as a deeply focused state — similar to becoming so absorbed in a book or film that the world around you fades. Within this state, together we can access the subconscious mind where deeply rooted beliefs, fears, and habituated responses often live.
Clinical Hypnotherapy can be a powerful complement to traditional talk therapy or Brainspotting in addressing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety and stress, phobias, sleep difficulties, low self-esteem, grief, and unwanted habits or behaviors.
Research supports its effectiveness in reducing chronic pain, managing symptoms of PTSD, and improving overall emotional well-being. For many clients, it offers a gentle yet meaningful path to change — reaching parts of the self that are not always accessible through words alone.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) incorporates meditation, body awareness, and mindful movement, with a focus on building a practice and awareness of how the body handles and resolves stress neurologically. Research suggests that mindfulness practice benefits depression and anxiety, enhances emotional regulation, improves physical health, and enhances overall well-being. These factors are why MBSR is a key component of my theoretical approach to supporting clients in improving their ability to cope with stress, manage difficult emotions, and navigate everyday life challenges with self-compassion. You will be encouraged and supported to start from where you are and build a mindfulness practice.
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that incorporates the use of art media (paint, markers, drawing, collage) as a vehicle for expression, “…the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.” (American Art Therapy Association Website). Art therapy is offered as individual therapy in conjunction with talk therapy or can be the primary mode of treatment.
Pet Therapy, also known as Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), incorporates the presence of a trained therapy animal into the therapeutic experience. The human-animal bond is a powerful and natural one — animals offer a unique form of unconditional presence that can ease anxiety, build trust, and create a sense of safety that may allow you to open up more freely within the therapeutic relationship.
For many people, the presence of an animal during a session provides comfort and a grounding connection to the present moment. Animals respond to us without judgment, agenda, or expectation — and in a space where vulnerability is being asked of you, that kind of presence can be profoundly reassuring.
Pet Therapy has been shown to: Reduce cortisol levels and lower blood pressure, decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation, improve mood and increase feelings of calm, support emotional regulation, and help build confidence in social and relational settings. It can be especially supportive for individuals working through trauma, developmental childhood experiences, those navigating grief and loss, and anyone who finds the traditional therapeutic setting challenging.
If you are drawn to the idea of incorporating a therapy animal into your sessions, I welcome the conversation. As with all modalities I offer, we will thoughtfully explore whether this approach is the right fit for your goals and needs.
Sir Garvey Ross is our resident therapy dog and a beloved member of the practice. Sir Garvey is a 2-year-old Bichon Frise Lhasa Apso mix who holds a Good Canine Citizen Certificate and is registered with the American Kennel Club. He has undergone extensive training with a professional trainer, bringing both skill and a gentle attentiveness to his role. Sir Garvey is affectionate, intuitive, intelligent, and free-spirited — with a natural ability to attune to shifts in a client’s emotional state and offer his support in just the right moment. It is not unusual for him to quietly move closer, rest beside you, or climb into your lap when he senses you need him most. Outside of the office, Sir Garvey enjoys belly rubs, long sniff walks, a good game of fetch, and tug of war — living his fullest life both in and out of work.
Having many years in presenting and conducting training, I welcome the opportunity to provide consultations, workshops, and training on various topics. Subjects covered in the past have included identifying eating disorders, stress management, cultural diversity, and safeguarding for the helper/public servant. A new topic being offered is Bridging the Generational Gap in the workplace. This is a hot topic, given the significant differences among the three primary generations in the workforce (Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials). These gaps often, or at least “sometimes,” create challenges in the work environment. Training to increase workers’ understanding of these differences and how they can work cohesively to meet the company’s common goals can be a great benefit. Topics can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization, staff, students, or group members.