Not everything that is faced
can be changed;
but nothing can be changed
until it is faced.
James Baldwin originally wrote these words in his 1962 New York Times essay, “As Much Truth As One Can Bear”. He was referring to the brutal, systemic realities of American racism and urging us to stop avoiding uncomfortable truths.
We live in a culture that is inherently dehumanizing. One that compartmentalizes, marginalizes, and oppresses people. That has a profound impact on how we see ourselves.
I believe the goal of therapy is to help you know yourself better - the challenges you have faced and the strengths that have helped you survive. That is usually not the kind of knowledge acquired by reading a book, but the intimate knowing you develop when you are passionate about something. This kind of knowing requires an investment of time and energy. And when the subject is as complex and layered as your own human psyche, it helps to have the perspective of a neutral third party. Someone who is curious about your lived experience. Someone who wants to help you identify the internal and external tools that will help you navigate obstacles and thrive.
My Approach
-
My personal and professional experiences have taught me that we all long to be seen and heard. In the absence of safe and supportive feedback, we can end up feeling lost and confused about who we are and what we want. Add to that the challenges of navigating a world that is systemically invalidating and dehumanizing, and we start to wonder if we are even worthy of the deep attunement we crave.
-
My role is to provide a compassionate container for you to unravel all the wounded and protective parts of yourself that have developed over time so that you can see them more clearly. My goal is to provide gentle but challenging feedback so that you can develop a deeper awareness of who you are and how you have learned to survive. From that place of understanding, you can begin to construct a clear path toward healing and eventually, a life that is in alignment with your values, strengths, and needs.
-
My approach is trauma-informed. I use empathy and humor, provide practical and effective tools for managing emotional distress, help you cultivate mindful awareness, utilize EMDR to address trauma, apply attachment theory to help you understand your relational wounds, and employ parts work to support you in getting to know yourself better. I also enjoy exploring transference and countertransference to expose relational patterns. Together we will uncover your deepest fears and your greatest strengths.
Areas of Focus
Anxiety and Stress Management
Relationship and Parenting
Depression Grief and Loss
Life Transitions
Trauma
Let's work together!
Pasadena, CA
123-456-7890
