Until recently, you might have adjusted to challenges by relying on personal strengths, a social support network, or your innate ability to rebound from the challenges of human existence. But something has changed.

You may feel stuck, lost, confused, depressed, angry, sad, or anxious, as you tread through the often turbulent waters of life. You may be grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, pet, or friend. You may have received a life-threatening diagnosis and have existential concerns about life and death. You and your spouse may be separated or considering a divorce and feel conflicted or ambivalent about what to do next. You may work in a stressful job environment, such as healthcare, and are irritable, exhausted, overwhelmed, and have nothing to give to yourself or loved ones. You may have relocated for work or school and struggle to establish new roots, especially due to pandemic social restrictions. Or, you may wish to change something about your life after a period of personal reflection and subsequent revelation—exploring how you fit into the universe can be profoundly meaningful work for you and your therapist.

Whatever you are facing, I invite you to meet with me to see if we could work together to help you identify your primary concerns, establish goals, and co-author a plan that is unique to your personal needs and experiences.

All therapists develop a theoretical foundation accompanied by therapeutic modalities to foster your growth. Some have specialities and additional certifications. No one psychotherapist can help everyone. As a profession, we encourage an initial consult of no charge to see if a working alliance is possible. Given our uniqueness as individuals, your first or second attempt at finding a therapist may not be successful. It is no fault of your own, or necessarily of the therapist’s. It is the nature of this very fulfilling, challenging, and delicate work between two individuals who otherwise would not know one another. I encourage you to interview several mental health providers before identifying the one who seems best to fit your needs.

Why Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is effective across the lifespan.

Over 3,000 peer-reviewed, scientific studies have confirmed the ongoing benefits of psychotherapy for all age groups. The average therapy client is better off than 79% of those not seeking treatment.

Psychotherapy is a proven and effective treatment for reducing mental health concerns and increasing wellbeing.

The therapist-client relationship is effective in reducing symptoms of common mental health concerns such as adjustment, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Research shows that engaging with a non-judgmental, supportive, and empathic therapist is at least as effective as an anti-depressant regimen and more effective in reducing the return of depressive symptoms post-treatment. Grief counseling, not anti-depressants, has been found to be an effective treatment for grief and bereavement.

Psychotherapy benefits have their roots in the psychoanalytic works of early founders.

For several decades, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has risen to the top of the preferred methods of treatment covered by insurance companies. Perhaps more than any other type of psychotherapy, CBT has been researched and peer-reviewed across the globe—quite often in clinical trials. CBT works. Its premise is based on the idea that our irrational thoughts and schemas dictate how we behave: Change our thoughts, change our behavior. In many medical institutions, one does not find the term, “Counseling,” “Social Work,” or “Psychology,” but rather “Behavioral Health.”

For depth psychotherapists grounded in analytical, existential, attachment therapy, however, CBT feels as though the emotions associated with living as a human are reduced to thoughts and actions.

I am one of those counselors.

While I integrate CBT coping techniques into my work at times, I focus much more on making meaning out of human existence. I focus on real emotions and personal stories, while identifying coping mechanisms that may or may not serve one well.

Here are efficacious and proven benefits of psychodynamic counseling, as reviewed by PositivePsychology.com:

1. A focus on affect and expression of emotions. Rather than on cognitive factors, psychoanalysis focuses on feelings.

2. Exploration of attempts to avoid distressing thoughts and feelings.

3. Identification of patterns and recurring themes in emotions.

4. Discussion of past experience with a developmental focus.

5. A focus on interpersonal relations.

6. A focus on the therapeutic relationship.

7. Safe exploration of fantasy life.

Psychotherapy is a safe space to explore yourself and your relation to the world.

Establishing an empathic, collaborative alliance with a therapist allows you to explore life’s challenges, identify meaning and purpose in life, improve decision-making skills, enhance your interpersonal connections, and learn mindfulness skills to improve your personal wellbeing.

Psychotherapy is different than talking with friends or family.

Talking with friends and family about life challenges is healthy and provides many benefits, including a sense of belonging and release of emotions. Talking with a therapist is different, because the relationship is one-way. In other words, it is all about YOU! Your therapist’s only focus during your session is what you bring to share. You will never have to worry about whether you are “too much,” your problems “too large,” or your emotions “too overwhelming.” You will never have to “take care of your therapist” the way you would a friend or family member. A therapist is trained to provide a safe, non-judgmental, empathic holding space for you, and just you.

Psychotherapy is private and confidential.

What you say in therapy stays in therapy. As a national certified counselor, I am bound by the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics. Your therapy sessions take place in a safe, non-judgmental space, where your privacy and confidentiality are maintained. There are four exemptions to privacy and confidentiality:

1. If I believe you are a harm to yourself or to another.

2. If I believe harm is being done to a child, elderly person, or person with disabilities.

3. If a court orders me to release your records.

4. If you give me permission to release your records to another person.

Psychotherapy can help you rediscover your resilience to adapt, heal, and grow.

Wherever you find yourself today, what lies before you is an opportunity to choose your next life path. It might be an arrow pointing west or a winding road leading you to the mountains. It might be the grace to mourn a loss with no fixed timeline. It might be the space to be angry over a loved one’s infidelity. It might be the place to connect your mind-body-spirit mindfully through wellness practices.

No matter your final destination, fostering your resilience—the ability to rebound from life challenges by facing them instead of avoiding them—is in your hands.

Offering In-Person depth Psychotherapy in Winston Salem and Tele-health throughout North Carolina & colorado.