A majority of my practice is devoted to working with young men. They face unique challenges, not just in the world, but in the practice of therapy itself. I think my approach is uniquely suited for working with boys and young men because I understand that the most basic ingredient to their success in treatment is trust. There are not many safe places for men to explore their inner worlds without judgement. It's hard for young men to find a place that even acknowledges that their inner world exists. I work in a collaborative manner to create that place, a place they visit every week to "hang out" and talk. It won't feel like the "therapy" they fear, but it has the potential to be life changing.
I have been working intimately with transgender youth and adults for over ten years. I understand the specific challenges faced and qualities needed to thrive as a transgender person in this society. I have witnessed hardships but also profound love as individuals and families encounter each other at the edge of the unknown. I also know that being a transgender person is a unique and extraordinary path that offers many rewards to the transgender individuals and those close to them. In regard to working with transgender children and families, I can offer help in reducing feelings of shame and guilt as the process of self-discovery is supported and enriched within the home, school, and community.
In working with couples, I use an attachment-based approach. This means that we dig beneath surface level issues and get straight to the heart of the matter, answering fundamental questions that start from the moment we are born: Are you there? Will you comfort me in the storm? Will you be my touchstone? This experience is rooted in your early love, and can be found again. It lies in wait, under all of the resentments, fears, and hopelessness. This connection can be nurtured back to life, resulting in a new ability for you to function with your loved one and solve the problems that seem insurmountable right now.
