Psychodynamic Therapy

My theoretical orientation, the backbone of my clinical work, is psychodynamic. It is based on the theories and approaches of classical psychoanalysis, working with clients to understand the role that unconscious forces from past relationships, experiences and conflicts have in shaping their current behavior. Gaining this insight supports clients in making positive change to live life more fully, communicate more effectively, and feel better about themselves and their relationships.

We approach therapy through a contemporary psychdynamic lens to understand what is being communicated through one's behaviors and understand how past experiences are influencing current relationships. As we form our relationships we have found that individuals develop deeper insight, aiding with a deeper understanding of themselves, and experiencing more lasting and sustainable relief.

Psychodynamic therapy is based on the concept that talking about problems can help people learn and develop the skills they need to address them. It is an approach that embraces the multifaceted aspects of an individual’s life. It strives to help people understand the sometimes unknown or unconscious motivations behind difficult feelings and behaviors. Having this insight can lead to symptom relief, help people feel better, and allow them to make better choices.

I have studied Psychodynamic Theory since I was an undergraduate when I took a German Literature class where we read Freud in chronological order. My graduate studies had a psychodynamic emphasis.

I believe that life experiences and the meaning that we both consciously and unconsciously assign to them can be explored in therapy to help clients live a life that is intentional and grounded. This includes identification and exploration of attachment styles, childhood and adolescent experiences, dreams, fears, and hopes.

Early life experiences impact us deeply, so understanding where you came from and how you got to this place is essential for any meaningful change. And no, I don't think we'll be blaming your parent's for everything that is wrong, but I do think we need to see how early life patterns present themselves in the here-and-now.

I express empathy through reflective listening to what consequences the client has created alone but whose disorder may convince him he has only partially created, and I will describe the discrepancy between clients' goals and the recent behavior, and being I have have many thousands of hours of this behind me, we avoid argument and dissolve the clients resistance to motivate them to begin the work towards dismantling their disorder piece by piece

Psychodynamic therapy

I have been trained eclectically, but also have an extensive background in psychoanalytical and psychodynamic approaches to psychotherapy, especially those that engage the relational dimensions of the process as a focus. Some of my training in this area includes: (1) Participation in a year-long practicum drawing on self-psychology at the Pierce Street Counseling Center, (2) Participation in a two year-long Intensive Study Groups offered by the Northern California Society of Psychoanalytic Psychology, (3) Weekly relationally-oriented group consultation with analyst, Cindy Sachs since 2014, (4) Bi-weekly participation for 10 years in a psychoanalytically-oriented consultation group facilitated by Dr. Robert Carrere, a training analyst at the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California, drawing from the principles and theories of Modern Psychoanalysis and (5) Completion of a two-year program in supervision at The Psychotherapy Institute.

I have had training in psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy and years of supervision with psychoanalytic practitioners. Most of my work is through this lens, to comprehensively get a picture of you, so I know what approaches to take in your treatment.

At its core, my graduate program is centered around psychodynamic therapy. We have spent a great deal of time exploring its theories and how to best apply them in the counseling setting.

I understand that therapy is a space to learn how past experiences can play out in the present and how attachment styles and trauma can impact current and future relationships. I believe therapy is a healing, safe space; a place to deconstruct and a place to increase awareness and insight about the self.

I believe in the importance of how we were brought up including the circumstances of our family in the broader social context as an important influence in how we are in our current lives. Trauma can impact severely on our development and adult attachment styles. In psychodynamic therapy I work on exploring with you how this impacts in your current life.

I invite you to explore the deeper layers of your thoughts and feelings to uncover the roots of your experiences. If you’re feeling empty or struggle with commitments, this is a safe space for you. Together, we’ll address your anxieties about death, health, and important life choices while empowering you to take responsibility for your decisions. This approach is perfect if you feel isolated despite having supportive friends or face chronic health challenges.

I am an eclectic therapist and draw on multiple approaches to provide therapy tailored to each patient's needs and priorities, with a focus on trauma healing, existential therapy, psychodynamic/attachment therapy, and liberation psychology.

I believe it’s important to focus on and address the underlying causes and maintenance factors of mental or emotional struggles, not just on modifying the present behaviors. Compulsive behaviors and disorders arise as a somewhat adaptive response to unmet needs or painful experiences; they help clients survive or cope with something they otherwise could not have.