I practice psychodynamic therapy, which means I specialize in helping people understand themselves on a deeper level. While addressing symptoms is often necessary, lasting change usually comes from uncovering the underlying causes of our struggles. I primarily work with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, grief, and existential concerns. For more on psychodynamic therapy and its empirical support, see The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. 

Our first session is an opportunity for you to talk about the challenges that brought you to therapy and to describe what you hope to achieve. I’ll ask some clarifying questions and begin getting to know you. You’re also welcome to ask me any questions you might have.

At the end of the session, I’ll share my initial impressions and check in with you to see if you feel comfortable working with me. This helps ensure that we’re a good fit for each other.

In subsequent sessions, it will be your responsibility to choose what we discuss. A good rule of thumb is to focus on whatever feels most alive or important in the moment. This might be an event from the past week, a dream, or an emotionally intense memory that has surfaced.

I will primarily listen, occasionally ask clarifying questions, and sometimes offer observations or possibilities to consider. The goal is to help you explore your experiences and gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

I don’t assign weekly homework. However, to support your progress, I encourage cultivating a curious attitude about yourself outside our sessions. Notice your dreams and daydreams—writing them down and bringing them to our sessions can be helpful. Pay attention to recurring thoughts and feelings, particularly those you tend to push out of awareness.

One way to think about this is that effective therapy often brings just the right amount of discomfort. If the discomfort feels overwhelming, it may mean I’m misattuned to your needs and pushing too hard. If the sessions feel too comfortable or stagnant, it could indicate that our work isn’t challenging you enough or that I’m not doing my part to support your growth.

If your goal is simply to reduce a symptom or navigate a crisis, therapy might be relatively brief. However, if you’re seeking deeper psychological change, the process can take several months—or even years. Although we live in a culture that favors quick fixes, it takes time to develop the kind of trusting relationship that facilitates profound insight. For more on this topic, see The Tyranny of Time: How Long Does Effective Therapy Really Take?