Theoretical Approach to Counseling

I use a strengths-based approach which means that instead of viewing people through a pathological or negative lens, I pay attention to the inner strengths and resources which we all have.  Clients and colleagues say that I am compassionate, calm and curious.  I view people as having innate strengths to which they are not always warmed up or connected. 

We will collaborate to help you to identify your strengths, to label and manage your emotions and to help you to access new roles which will help you to find new and adequate responses to life’s struggles. 

In groups, I utilize a psychodrama approach in which I am trained if it feels right to you.  We can warm up using breathing exercises, yoga or games, use action methods such as doubling (where we help give a voice to your feelings) and role reversal (where we place ourselves in another person’s “shoes”) and we share in a guided way with each other ways in which we can relate to each other. 

I also am trained in mindfulness techniques and can teach you mindful breathing, body scans and other ways to be with your mind, heart, body and spirit in the present moment in ways which promote your well-being without judging yourself.  Mainly, I teach mindfulness skills which support you to be present with what is with compassion. 

I love using art and music to support people to explore their feelings and strengths.  I utilize art, play, movement, music, puppets and psychodrama to support my clients to achieve their goals. 

I have done much of my own personal work and I continue to do my own personal work so that I can be as effective as possible as a counselor who values humanizing and healing ourselves.