Human connections are powerful and healing. Our ancestors knew this long before the advent of modern science, when researchers began identifying the brain functions that help determine whether we’re happy or sad, anxious or fulfilled. While we still have much to learn, we’re starting to understand why talk therapy works, the importance of mindfulness, and the scientific basis for the effectiveness of such ancient body-mind disciplines as yoga and meditation in relieving stress and improving mental and physical health.

Everyone faces challenges in their lives. Few of us come from “perfect” families. We all have strengths and weaknesses that arise from our genetics, early life experiences, and sometimes, blind chance. My goal as a psychologist is to help clients understand what makes them unique, remove any barriers to their self-actualization and then assist them in applying this knowledge to have full and satisfying lives.

As a clinician, I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. My clinical approach varies with each individual, depending on their personal situation and the issues that brought them into therapy. It can be difficult for anyone contending with overwhelming stress and anxiety to make meaningful changes, so I often begin by providing some easy-to-learn relaxation exercises drawn from my research into mindfulness and my experiences as a certified yoga instructor.

Together, we address such questions as: What do you want from therapy? What should we focus on first? How can you tell if your therapy is “working”?

I firmly believe that therapy should be results-oriented, with concrete short- and long-term goals for measuring our progress and making mid-course corrections as needed. I also believe in taking a comprehensive approach, using a broad range of proven therapeutic techniques, and bringing family members, physicians and psychiatrists into the therapeutic process whenever this is beneficial.

Most of all, I believe in serving as a guide and trusted friend, someone who is committed to helping every client harness their innate creativity and achieve their unique human potential. As a guide, I help clients examine their unexplored belief systems, thought processes and behaviors in order to gain the insights necessary for meaningful growth and change. And as a trusted friend, I provide the empathy and support they need to fully and joyfully become the person they were meant to be.