Humanistic Therapy

Compassion/mindfulness are key to being a healthy loving human being.

In my quest to deconstruct the controlling beliefs of my conservative Christian upbringing, I felt drawn to the principles of humanism. Specifically, I studied existential therapy throughout my graduate studies. I have written on the topics of humanism and therapy, and I continue to study philosophy in an attempt to better understand how to connect to diverse people in therapy.

People want to reach their potential and become self-actualized. This therapy style is more about the person doing the therapy than the techniques. Clinicians who practice humanistic therapy generally follow Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow's principle of person-centered therapy. It is a positive approach and focuses on the here and now of a person's life.

Centers personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent value and worth of every individual, with a focus on the present moment and subjective experience.

In humanistic therapy, we emphasize self-awareness, personal growth, and self-actualization. We believe in your innate potential to lead a fulfilling life and reach your highest potential when provided with the right conditions and support. In our therapeutic relationship, we create a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment where we can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly and honestly. Together, we will embark on a journey of self-exploration and self-acceptance.

I believe the rewarding process of repairing our connection with ourselves and others can only take place in relationships built with warmth, authenticity, open communication, consent, and compassion. I will work with you to create a supportive relationship that is warmly attuned to your moment-to-moment experience, and reflects your innate goodness and dignity. I hold the view that all human behaviors and emotions are attempts to care for ourselves and others, even the ones which challenge us.

If you're human, chances are you have experienced some sort of angst. I see the humanistic and person-centered approaches as two sides of the same coin. As a secular humanist, my values closely align with this methodology in that I love helping my clients realize that they have everything they need to cope with reality. People often just need to be shown how to rediscover their strengths and reminded that it's ok to not be ok.

AKA Rogerian therapy; Rogers believed similarly to Maslow, but also believed that the pathway to this actualization is a fertile environment where unconditional positive regard and transparency are present in the room. I am a natural cheerleader of people.

Carl Rogers taught us to value the client, not to look down on them like idiots who do not know what is going on in their own life. Therapists should collaborate with the client with sincere respect. One of the chief cornerstones is genuineness with the client. A sincere relationship, not just a simple paid cold-hearted client.

The first approach I learned about therapy has remained my favorite - the relationship I build together with my clients is the core of any growth or progress there is to be made. I am human, just like you, not an omniscient knower-of-all-things. With every client I have ever worked with, there has been at least one moment where we talk not of mood, fears, or challenges, but of a hilarious movie, favorite music, or whether the Red Sox should make the trade. I meet you wherever you're at that day.

We are all connected through our shared experience of being human. Getting to know ourselves is one of the most empowering and healing things we can do. I fully believe that being seen, heard, and witnessed nonjudgmentally by another human is one of the most healing experiences we can have.

A foundation of humanistic therapy is recognizing the potential of each individual and helping them to actualize this. Everyone, at times, struggles in actualizing their potential. Roadblocks to personal growth often lead to anxiety, doubt, insecurity, and depression. Self-awareness, self-acceptance, and growth toward actualizing one's potential are important components of overcoming a variety of personal, emotional, ad relational problems.

My approach is informed by Carl Rogers and Eugene Gendlin's contributions to Humanistic therapies which prioritizes the inherent capacity for growth and healing within all individuals. I specialize in humanistic techniques like empathic listening, focusing on immediate experiences, and fostering self-awareness to create an environment where clients can engage in self-exploration and meaning-making. I am a member of the APA-division of Humanistic Psychology.

Empathy, genuineness, and a non-judgmental perspective are at the center of my therapeutic relationships. I respect my clients for trying their best to manage the difficulties they face in life.

I am a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator; this helps me support my clients around topics such as vulnerability, courage, shame, and worthiness. The work invites people to examine the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are holding them back and identify the new choices and practices that will move them toward more authentic and wholehearted living. The primary focus is on developing shame resilience skills and developing daily practices that transform the way we live, love, parent, and lead.

My Master's Degree is from a psychology program that specialized in Humanistic Therapy.

My approach is grounded in the humanistic belief that each person contains the potential for growth and development. When you are in therapy with me, you get to set the agenda for each session, and my focus is on helping you be the version of yourself that you want - not what others want for you.