anxiety/depression/trauma

Many individuals seek my help in therapy because the anxiety and/or depression they are experiencing is negatively affecting many aspects of their lives. Common symptoms may include not feeling good about yourself, loss of connection with friends and family, diminished productivity at work, and/or an overwhelming sense of unhappiness, nervousness or angst.
In their primary forms, anxiety and depression can be excruciatingly painful and debilitating, resulting in a complete loss of interest in life and inability to function in daily living. However, even their milder manifestations can have an enormous impact, preventing clients from fully participating and enjoying life. For some clients, biological components of anxiety and depression are primary and are often treated in conjunction with medications; for non-biological causes, research shows that talk therapy works better. Yet, regardless of their origins, work with a therapist significantly reduces symptoms and enables clients to have more happy and productive lives.

Trauma can occur in many forms and at different stages of life. Sometimes the effect is devastating, or often it can be more subtle but still challenging. Trauma can reduce our ability to build connections and trust with others, cause sexual problems, or reappear in abusive relationships. Some of you may have experienced flashbacks, hypervigilance, and/or nightmares. I will shape my approach for healing based on your individual experience and needs. 

Our trauma can be caused by patterns of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse in childhood, including  growing up in a homophobic family and culture, experiencing racism, or being bullied. Sometimes, emotional symptoms develop after a single acute incident, such as a bad car accident or witnessing a violent act. My training and experience in sensorimotor psychotherapy allow me to integrate traditional talk therapy with techniques from contemporary neurobiological research and recent advances in understanding how our bodies process core emotions. By working carefully with these body-mind-heart linkages, I can help you reclaim your vitality, creativity, and capacity for love.