While training as a psychotherapist I was exposed to a wide variety of theoretical approaches particularly using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and somatic/mindfulness skills which I found helpful, I was also clinically intrigued by the powerful psychological forces that motivate people to behave in ways outside of their everyday awareness. I wondered why do people behave outside their vested interest causing profound psychological suffering? I discovered that psychoanalysis offered a unique and complex understanding human behavior and employed a specific listening and attention to psychic life that could offer possibilities of change, substantial change from deep behavioral patterns and healing from past traumas. Such changes offer opportunities for lasting emotional freedom. I invite my potential patients into such an experience emphasizing quality and affordability.  I specialize in anxiety/depression, ED/ disordered eating issues, grief/ trauma, and substance/recovery.  I treat the following conditions:

Anxiety:
Ranging from a feeling of general nervousness and ill ease to specific fears and phobias, anxiety can be overwhelming and interfere with your daily life. Some physical symptoms include rapid heartbeat, trembling, restlessness and fatigue. Emotional symptoms might include irritability or agitation, fear or
dread, excessive worry and poor concentration. Anxiety can also manifest in the form of panic attacks, discreet periods of intense nervousness and fear for which there may be no identifiable cause or danger. Many people who experience anxiety are unable to pinpoint any specific cause.

Depression:
Some possible signs of depression might include impaired ability to focus and concentrate, irritability and thoughts of doom or death, subjective feelings of depression, lack of interest or pleasure in usually pleasurable activities, overeating or loss of appetite and poor sleep. Depression can sometimes leave
you feeling upset, anxious, and listless, bored, alienated from self and others, or creatively blocked.

Eating Disorders:
Eating disorders such as anorexia bulimia and binge eating disorder are often uncovered due to an individual’s food and eating behaviors, but they are rooted in mental health issues. In fact, eating disorders are diagnosed according to mental health criteria, and an important part of recovering from an eating disorder is therapy sessions. Therapy helps individuals explore and understand their relationships with food. When individuals are able to uncover why they interact with food as they do, they are able to work on the underlying thoughts and emotions that have manifested in an eating disorder. When these thoughts and emotions are explored, disordered eating can then decrease or cease.

Life Circumstances:
Life events – such as divorce, death, marital infidelity, job loss, relocation – can make us unaware and unprepared where we are overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings and feel some tremendous disruption in our life patterns. Often these can be familiar or repetitive feelings that recall other periods of stress or trauma. Addressing these feelings directly and honestly can really help to alleviate the pain.

Relationships:
Our relationships with others are the essence of our lives as humans. When we have difficulties forming or keeping those relationships, we can sometimes feel alienated, alone, depressed or misunderstood. Learning how to be ourselves with others is a key aspect to our well-being and success. I work with individuals to bring about the goal of more fulfilling relationships.

Substance Abuse:
If you are questioning yourself regarding your use of alcohol or drugs, there may be a good chance that your use may be causing problems in your life. You may be ready to make a change, or simply contemplating your life with or without the substances. In many instances, substance use can cause or exacerbate symptoms of other disorders. I can help you to examine your choices in light of the greater direction of your life.