Areas of Specialty
Anxiety
Anxiety has become an unwanted visitor to many, making anxiety the most prevalent mental health issue in the United States. I have advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which are effective treatments for anxiety based on scientific studies. I am also trained in providing trauma-informed treatment, which is essential in treating anxiety, including posttraumatic stress (PTSD), in individuals who have a history of trauma. Anxiety can manifest in numerous forms including:
Frequent Worry
Panic
Intrusive or unwanted thoughts
Fear or anxiety related to social situations
Persistent fear of illness
Phobias
Uncomfortable bodily sensations such as rapid heart rate and shortness of breath
Desire to avoid certain situations
Cross-Cultural Issues
I have considerable training in multicultural psychology and acculturation issues. In addition, I bring to my work the experience of having grown up in four different countries, including the United States. I have worked extensively with individuals from diverse backgrounds including:
Immigrants
Members of minority groups
Those raised in cultures different from that of their parents and/or birth country
Those who have lived/worked abroad as part of their adult life
Those serving or having served in the military and family members of those in the military
Native Spanish and Portuguese speakers seeking therapy in these languages
Depression
Depression is a close cousin to anxiety, as many people who experience one will also experience the other. Much like anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are effective treatments for depression. With these as a guide and with particular attention to each person’s hostory, I help clients reduce symptoms of depression, which can include:
Low or irritable mood
Lack of pleasure or interest in previously enjoyed activities
Changes in sleep and appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Frequent crying
Feelings of guilt and / or worthlessness
Thoughts about wanting to die or hurt oneself
Grief and Loss
While a natural response to loss, ranging from loss of a loved one to loss of our vision for how life would unfold, grief can evoke a wide array of emotions and come in waves that can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. I am skilled at helping clients navigate through their grief and through factors that often complicate grief, such as:
Depression and/or anxiety
Guilt or regret
Intrusive thoughts about the loss
Inability to focus on little else other than the loss
Thoughts about wanting to die
Life Transition
Times of change and transitions can bring up a wide array of emotions, memories, and difficulties, including a sense of feeling unequipped or vulnerable. They can also require us to develop new skills to adapt. One of my areas of speciality is helping clients mindfully navigate the many transitions life can bring, including:
Entering college or the workforce
Entering a committed relationship, engagement, or marriage
Difficulty conceiving or infertility
Becoming a parent and / or balancing parenting and a career
Parenting children with special needs
Having children leave home (empty nest)
Separation or divorce
Aging
Illness and / or changes in functioning in yourself or loved one
Losing a loved one
OCD
I have specialized training in diagnosing and treating OCD using a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which has strong evidence in clinical studies for its use in treating OCD. I often find it helpful to integrate the use of ERP and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which has also been found effective in the treatment of OCD. Symptoms of OCD include:
Intrusive thoughts, images, or urges
Distress resulting from the intrusive thoughts/images/urges
Engaging in repetitive behaviors or mental acts to neutralize the intrusive thoughts and/or to reduce distress
Avoiding certain situations that trigger the intrusive thoughts and/or distress
Relationships
Psychological research provides strong evidence that having positive supportive relationships in our lives is related to emotional well-being. Yet, relationships can also be very challenging and result in stress and difficulty. Using attachment science as a foundation, I help clients identify patterns in relationships that are problematic and develop ways of thinking and behaving that promote healthier patterns within their relationships, including relationship with:
Family of origin (Parents and Siblings)
Extended family and/or in-laws
Partners or Spouses
Children (including step-children, adopted children, and grown children)
Friends
Colleagues and/or Supervisors