The writer Joan Didion once said that the reason she writes is to figure out what it is that she thinks about something. I like to say that in therapy, you talk to figure out what it is you feel about something.
There’s a substantial payoff in figuring out what you feel. It helps you learn what you really want, so you can move through the world more confidently. It helps you make wiser choices in love, work, and friendship.
My approach with individuals and couples is both in-depth and practical. I draw from many schools of thought, using an orientation that’s known as psychodynamic (some call it psychoanalytic psychotherapy). Psychodynamic therapy aims to liberate you from the constraints of the past in order to generate new possibilities for your life. If therapeutic point of view were a neighborhood, you’d find me at the intersection of the study of relationships, trauma, and the science of emotions.
Our work together will be in the interest of two goals: To heal previous traumas and to unpack the beliefs and conflicts that are causing you to be at war with yourself. In doing that, we can bring about sustainable and lasting change that will allow you a sense of wholeness, freedom, and well-being. If you choose me as your therapist, part of our focus will be acknowledging that you’re made up of many facets, some of which will likely change over time.
Psychotherapy is a collaborative undertaking. Together, you and I will focus on what it is you’re struggling with in order to strengthen your relationship with yourself, others, and the world.
Psychotherapy is also a practice, just like getting comfortable with meditation, a new language, or musical scales. Therapy involves establishing a more intimate relationship with your thoughts and feelings, and with yourself. The continuity of week-to-week sessions keeps you connected to that self, its growth, and its evolution.
For the last few years, I and every colleague I know have been conducting sessions on phone and video. Many of us were doing this before COVID hit, but it’s now common practice. After conditions become less risky, you may prefer to continue therapy via telehealth for its sheer convenience. Not everyone is a good candidate for telehealth, though, so we’ll need to talk briefly before our initial appointment to make sure it’s right for you.
If you’re interested in treatment, call 213-807-6021 to arrange a free, 20-minute consultation. Let’s talk about how I can help.