I specialize in helping adult individuals work through their concerns with anxiety. This includes things like:
- Panic attacks
- Social anxiety
- Health anxiety
- General anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Phobias
Two styles of therapies are considered the gold standard and are often the first-line treatments for anxiety: Cognitive-behavioral Therapy and Exposure & Response Prevention:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a cornerstone of my practice. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Many people benefit from CBT because it increases our awareness and understanding of the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. As we become more aware of the connection and their patterns, we shut off our brain's "autopilot," allowing us to develop more helpful responses to anxiety and life's challenges.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): ERP can be particularly effective for many individuals dealing with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. This approach involves gradually exposing you to feared situations or thoughts while preventing the usual response and developing new responses that break up the cycle of anxiety. ERP can be great for building long-term resilience and bravery despite the presence of anxiety and fear.
Other Concerns
Often, clients would like to address other concerns in addition to anxiety. I'm happy to help work through those with you, depending on your specific situation and my level of experience with your concerns. Things I'm generally familiar with include:
- Sadness/loneliness
- Anger
- Intimate relationship issues
- Career challenges
- Cultural adjustment
- Parenting/step-parenting
- Divorce & breakups
- Life transitions
In addition to CBT and ERP, I integrate other styles of therapy as needed:
Motivational Interviewing (MI): MI is a collaborative approach that enhances your motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): SFBT concentrates on finding solutions in the present time and exploring your hope for the future. By focusing on your strengths and what is working well, we can quickly develop effective strategies to address your current concerns.
Client-Centered Therapy: Rooted in the belief that you are the expert on your own life, client-centered therapy provides a supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings freely. This approach fosters self-discovery and personal growth by emphasizing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuine understanding.