Relationship focused approach for adults and familes with children
Treatment for Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Trauma, Panic Disorders, Neurodevelopment Disorders, Grief, & Weightism
I am a licensed psychologist and registered art therapist. I have been providing clinical services since 1999.
I use science-backed methods, including from my own academic research, to treat depression, anxiety, trauma, panic and obsessive disorders, chronic pain, high functioning Autism / Asperger’s Disorder, loss and grief, weight control, and relationship issues.
I use proven approaches such as cognitive therapy, biofeedback, emotion focused therapy, emotion focused tapping, mindfulness, and art therapy. Therapy sessions are tailored to meet individual needs and interests. All the methods that I use include a relational focus.
I see most of my clients virtually, or in the Miracle Mile District. At this time, I do not accept insurance. I provide a sliding scale and superbills. Please let me know how I can serve you and your family.
I use cognitive behavioral approaches which have been shown to be helpful for clients with depression, anxiety, trauma, weightism chronic pain and obsessive-compulsive disorder in practical, evidence-based ways. Cognitive behavioral therapy methods will show you how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact to shape your experiences. By examining these connections, we will work together to consider alternative ways of coping and changing habitual responses. Some strategies include exposure and gently challenging negative self-talk and ingrained responses. All at your own pace. We will work on aiding you to feel more in control.
Please contact me for additional information
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” Viktor E. Frankl
I understand the negative impact of grief and loss as well as crisis situations and high anxiety on trauma. We know that loss and distress also effect our nervous system and may create long-term health issues. Grief is especially important to treat as most people mourn and grieve for a long time.
I will offer your a choice of different strategies for treating loss and distress such as several biofeedback, relaxation and mindfulness methods. Together we will focus on finding the right fit for you and your lifestyle. I will show you how to use real-time monitoring to help you recognize and control physiological reactions linked to stress or emotion. One such approach is HeartMath which has been shown to help develop resiliency and hardiness. We can also use art therapy, which proven to assist clients who are seeking to honor their loss.
Importantly, I will help support you in repairing relationship issues stemming from loss.
“Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life.” Anne Roiphe
I am trained in several mindfulness approaches to support recovery from anxiety, depression, stress, pain, ADHD, weightism and other issues. No prior meditation or spiritual experience is needed and if meditation doesn’t work for you, we will use methods which do not require meditation. These proven methods include mindfulness-based stress reduction, depression relapse prevention and self-compassion. mindful eating, and Transcendental Meditation (TM). These are practical tools for enhancing well-being. Mindfulness helps us stay present and non-judgmental, self-compassion encourages kindness toward ourselves yourself, especially in tough moments. Mindful eating brings awareness to our weightism issues helping in understanding that we are not alone in facing this chronic health issue. TM is a simple meditation technique that uses a mantra to promote deep relaxation and reduce stress. Notable is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which is a relationship approach, Together, we will work to find the best fit for you.
As we all know, sometimes we have no words to express our feelings. Art therapy provides the benefits of using expressive non-verbal communication. Art‑making provides important clues to difficult issues such as depression, loss, social trauma, and developmental changes that may be too painful or overwhelming to communicate with words alone.
No art experience is needed. We will use various approaches and techniques. For example, I may ask for you to make a free drawing as a safe way to express yourself with no pressure to perform or compete with others. Many clients report a release of feelings and pent-up emotions that may be disturbing relationships, learning, and self esteem.
We review the artwork and corresponding feelings together so that we can make changes on the paper and in real life for you and for your relationships.
“Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist.”
— Eileen Miller
