Scroll down
My approach
Client focus
I offer individual psychotherapy for adults of varied ages and wide-ranging backgrounds.
People seek treatment for many reasons, but most often because they are experiencing symptoms - critical self-talk, painful anxiety, persistent sadness, relationship conflict, difficulty staying focused or making an important decision - that become harder to tolerate. Many of my clients have had notable success in academic, professional, or creative endeavors, yet may struggle to feel lasting satisfaction in accomplishments, to nurture meaningful relationships, or to find meaning and fulfillment in daily life. Difficulties often manifest or intensify during times of transition, when familiar ways of coping falter, and old wounds can produce new pain.
In facing life's hurdles, you deserve a trusted companion who bears witness to your journey with humility, respect, and acknowledgment of the courage it takes to embrace change.
Therapeutic Process
Our process begins with acknowledging whatever brings you to therapy and the impact it’s having on your life. We start from where you are.
My therapeutic approach is rooted in the belief that our experiences shape who we are, and the ways we perceive and operate in the world reflect our earnest efforts to meet our needs and shield ourselves from pain. Often, our expectations about the world and others, as well as our habitual responses, operate outside our conscious awareness and control, with the potential to perpetuate recurring problems and disappointments. Beginning with careful attention to your current experience, our journey of intellectual and emotional exploration leads to deeper self-understanding, acceptance, and resilience, empowering you to make more satisfying connections and enhancing your freedom to shape your future.
Personal Connection
The most important mechanism of action in psychotherapy, across all theories, methods, and techniques, has consistently been shown to be the authentic, human connection forged between therapist and client.
I will work collaboratively with you to make sense of your story with empathy, patience, and compassion. Psychotherapy can be intensely personal, challenging, and even life changing. Sometimes it can take several visits to clarify the important fit between therapist and client. I encourage you to get to know me over a few sessions and consider the fit as we work together to develop a treatment relationship.
Working together, we will clarify what matters to you, what motivates you, and what’s getting in the way of living your best life.
About Me
I've been practicing individual and group psychotherapy since 2014.
I completed a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015. My clinical training included working with residents of a skilled nursing facility and their families, and with individuals and groups through the UT Employee Assistance Program and Capital Area Counseling. In 2018, I established my private psychotherapy practice in central Austin.
With over twenty-five years of experience in business before becoming a therapist, I offer a unique perspective on how career challenges can both drive, and reflect, personal struggles in work and relationships. Having walked the path of a patient myself, I empathize deeply with the vulnerabilities and aspirations of those seeking help.
I am a member of Austin Psychoanalytic, a local chapter of the Division of Psychoanalysis (Division 39) of the American Psychological Association, where I served as Treasurer from 2018-2020. Additionally, I am an active member of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA), the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA), and the American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work (AAPCSW). I am licensed as both an LCSW and a CPA in Texas.
Beyond my professional interests, I treasure time with my family and my dog. I also enjoy striking out on see-America roadtrips, immersing myself in New Orleans culture and cuisine, and exploring flea markets.
Practice FAQs
Do you have a treatment speciality?
I work with individuals with a variety of presenting concerns:
Anxiety and Depression
Generalized unhappiness; feeling “stuck”
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress
Loss and Grief
Relationship and Intimacy concerns
Life Transitions and Adjustments
Parenting
Career Concerns
What kind of therapy do you practice?
Depending on the client’s needs and goals, my focus ranges from more supportive therapy to deeper, more exploratory work. I have advanced training and experience in treating the enduring effects of childhood trauma in adults. Most often, I practice Plain Old Therapy viewed through a psychodynamic lens, influenced by Object Relations, Relational, Self Psychology, and Ego Psychology theories.
In pursuit of deeper understanding and proficiency, I have undertaken advanced training in psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Currently, I am a fourth-year candidate in the Studies in Adult Psychoanalysis program at the Houston Center for Psychoanalytic Study.
Click here to learn more about these therapies.
Do you take my insurance?
I am not an in-network provider for any insurance providers. I am happy to provide a monthly superbill if you would like to file claims for out-of-network benefits with your insurer.
Do you offer remote sessions?
I offer remote sessions via videoconference for clients based in Texas.
Where is your office located?
My office is in Old West Austin, near UT and downtown. There is plenty of free street parking nearby..
Contact
If you have questions or would like to explore the potential benefits of working together, please feel free to contact me.
All potential new client relationships begin with a no-fee 30-minute telephone consultation.
*Click the phone number to reveal it