Areas of Expertise
Eating Disorder Treatment
I have always found that eating disorders are never really about the food. I view disordered eating as a symptom of a larger concern. And at one point, your food, exercise or body behaviors were probably helpful in coping with whatever it was that may have led you to feel unworthy, out of control or unhappy. Let's work together to tailor your treatment specifically to your needs. You are capable of having a fulfilling life in which you have confidence, healthy relationships and peace with your body.
Therapy can also be highly beneficial for individuals who do not meet criteria for disordered eating, but do struggle, personally with food and/or body image. Overeating, shameful eating and body dissatisfaction can also be addressed and improved with individual therapy.
Trauma Informed Care
As trauma experiences are a part of many individuals' experiences, I find it necessary and important to utilize trauma-informed approaches to help individuals work through their current symptoms as well as heal from difficult past experiences. Using emotion-focused skills, emotion regulation techniques and somatic experiencing techniques, we can assist you in the healing process.
Health at Every Size Approach
I am a proponent of the Health at Every Size® model by Linda Bacon. This model embodies elements of respect, self-care and diversity awareness. In my practice there is no shame or judgement for any body (type, size, shape, etc) in the therapy space. I follow a weight-neutral approach to therapy where the focus is on your emotional and physical well-being (and not on numbers or size).
My Approach
In my practice I believe there are four main components that contribute to a successful experience in therapy:
Bravery
To be brave is to be be vulnerable. Starting therapy and participating in therapy is admirable. Congratulations for considering this important step in your life! Many individuals believe that to show emotion, to struggle, to ask for help or to be in therapy is a weakness. I could not disagree more. In my experience, those who have chosen to live differently, make changes and better know oneself are strong. It would be easy to stay the same, not question or seek improvement. It is BRAVE to show up. That bravery will help you to work toward the life you would like to have.
Authenticity
Many individuals find themselves unhappy, in distress or stuck in their lives. Often I have noticed that one of the main reasons we feel this way is due to not allowing ourselves to be who we authentically are as human beings. Although it can be scary to be who we truly are, when we live a life in line with ourselves and our values we are free to actually live our lives. In our work you will be supported to discover and embody the authentic you.
Process
In therapy, to "process" is to "work through." Being able to discuss, experience, and express yourself can be highly helpful to work through whatever is distressing you in your life. In your therapy process you will gain insight, be challenged yet supported, come to new understanding about yourself and the world and increase your ability to experience and manage emotions. You will likely find that "working through" is so much more productive than "getting over" your concerns for long-term healing.
Direction
The therapeutic relationship can be incredibly healing in and of itself. The support you will receive from your therapist has the power to validate and transform your negative feelings. In addition to this support, successful therapies often focus on a direction of the work. In our work, this direction will be up to you. Take a moment to imagine if you were to start the path of a new life direction, what would that be like? What could you accomplish? How would your relationships improve? How would you feel about yourself?
