13 Apr Ways of Working with Clients
Individuals, Couples, and Families in Online Therapy
How I Work
We work collaboratively to “figure out” what’s next.
I believe that all humans possess a deep desire for purpose and meaning and that we are influenced by the people in our lives, including our cultural context and family of origin. My approach to therapy is a compassionate one that appreciates diversity in a changing world. I use various intuitive tools and emotionally-focused therapy models to help individuals, couples and families understand themselves and others in more generous ways.
Working with Individuals
In individual counseling, we work together to access your inner compass, courage, and life direction. My work with clients centers on the belief that being imbedded in relationships may bring up feelings of pain, powerlessness, and disappointment but guidance can become a gateway to greater resilience, dignity, and what Dr. Murray Bowen calls differentiation. This term means we are able to stay connected to our loved ones without losing ourselves, our differences, our purpose, or our values. Using the psychological tool called Enneagram can kick off this clarity process in ways that clients find helpful.
Working with Families
The best therapy guides clients to feel part of a larger community.
As a former professor of psychology and religion, I take a psycho-educational approach to improving communication with the one(s) you love. I use an Attachment-Based Family Therapy model, an evidence-based therapeutic method for families interested in growing better relationships. Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is heavily influenced by John Bowlby’s attachment theory. This posits that humans have an inherent, biological desire for meaningful relationships. Guy Diamond, Gary Diamond, and Suzanne Levy defined the parameters of attachment family therapy in their book “Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Depressed Adolescents.” Attachment therapy is a proven methodology for using family relationships to treat depression, and anxiety, and prevent suicide in adolescents.