Working with me

(Big picture)

I am a fat, neurodivergent (ADHD), cis-gendered, heterosexual, white woman. I mention all of this not because I expect to work with clients who are just like me, but rather because I know that most of clients are not. Most of my clients, even those who share some of my identities, have experiences that I do not have, and maybe cannot have. In my office my clients and I can talk about what differences might mean to working together.

I do my best to try to understand what other people’s lived experiences are like in order to have some framework for working with people who have different identities than me. However, the biggest thing I have to offer is that I will believe you about your experiences. I know that even if we are the same in some ways, we will be different in others and the only person who can truly know what is right or true for you is you.

I mention all of this because I want people to know that when I say that they get to show up exactly as they are, or that all parts of them are welcome, I want people to mostly believe it (mistrustful parts are welcome too). This is because we don’t have to be a certain way, to have certain identities, to have certain emotions shown the right way, to be close, to be accepted, to be understood.

Of course I am going to screw stuff up and get things wrong. I can’t promise to be perfect, as imperfection is unavoidable. (And I have ADHD, so we all know I am going to occasionally forget to follow up on something I said I would.)

What I can do is promise to try to catch and own my mistakes and to be open and receptive (as much as I am able) to feedback. I do this because I think this is what closeness and connection is all about and I want to give my clients lived experience of this so that they can go create more in their lives.

Areas of Expertise

(The details)

As my passion is relationships, much of my training and experience is in working with couples, and helping individuals with relational difficulties.  I have completed training with a variety of different institutes, but largely the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. 

Additionally, I am experienced and enjoy working with couples and individuals of a variety of backgrounds and experiences. I have experience working with couples with a variety of challenges including: loud and/or frequent fighting, having small children, and histories of traumatic experiences. I also have experience working with neurodivergent individuals and couples as well as LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.

Some additional areas of expertise include: anxiety, depression, trauma, body image, neurodivergent struggles, sexual difficulties, personal growth, and self-esteem.

I do not work with people under the age of 18.