Depression, Anxiety, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Trauma & PTSD, Gender Identity Exploration, Self-Esteem & Self-Confidence, Anger, Interpersonal Difficulties, Struggles with Career & School, Intimacy & Sexuality Concerns, Relationship Conflicts, Life Transitions (Graduating, Starting a Family, Divorce, Separation, Remarriage, etc.)

I have had extensive training in working with individuals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction. While many of the individuals I treat are aware of their issues, some come to me unsure of whether they have a drug or alcohol problem and use therapy as a means to explore the role drugs and alcohol play in their lives and their relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners. Some individuals decide they have a “problem” and need to stop using completely. Some individuals decide to limit their use to certain times, locations, or amounts. It can sometimes take trial and error to figure out what will work best for you.

I approach addiction treatment using a Harm Reduction Model, meaning that the goal of treatment is to reduce the level of harm an individual may be doing to their body. This allows each individual I treat to be active and engaged in their own recovery without adhering to a rigid expectation of abstinence and can help avoid feelings of failure and shame should they relapse. I have worked with individuals who are actively involved in 12-Step programs (such as Alcoholics Anonymous) and those who do not find meetings helpful, and will support you with whatever decisions you make regarding your treatment and recovery. This may range from education and support in weekly or twice weekly therapy sessions, to coordination with higher levels of treatment such as group therapy, psychiatry, detoxification or rehabilitation programs, should we decide it could be beneficial.

I also work with couples where one or both of them is either actively using or in recovery. Sometimes the substance(s) can feel like a third party in the relationship! My goal is to create a space where both parties feel supported and validated and where both parties can decide together what their goals are.

Craft = Community Reinforcement and Family Training

CRAFT is a skills-based program for the families of people who struggle with addiction. It is designed to support family members across multiple areas, including self-care, pleasurable activities, problem-solving, and goal setting, while at the same time teaching behavioral and motivational strategies for interacting with their loved one and addressing resistance to change. It encourages the family to positively reinforce healthy behaviors while discouraging the habits and behaviors that may contribute to addiction. The goal is to help you learn to communicate better with your loved one and support healthy and non-using behaviors while at the same time taking better care of yourself.

Despite numerous milestones that establish equity within society writ large, LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to face stigma and discrimination in their daily lives. Exacerbating this issue is the current onslaught of laws that specifically target the most at-risk and marginalized communities, denying fundamental care despite the protests of medical and psychological expertise. Experiences of discrimination can lead to efforts to conceal one’s sexual orientation or gender identity from others. Both overt experiences with discrimination and the practice of concealment can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, isolation, substance abuse, and self-doubt, among other psychological and interpersonal difficulties.

My goal in treatment is to help LGBTQIA+ individuals lead more self-accepting, authentic, and open lives. I have worked with individuals through the coming out process, coping with past traumas or discrimination, living with HIV, and the process of transitioning. I have also studied the impact of parental rejection on LGBTQIA+ individuals, specifically during the coming out process, and the negative consequences both overt and discrete rejection have on an individual’s self-worth and emotional and psychological health. As such I consider myself an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist and work to cultivate an environment of safety, support, and acceptance.

I am also happy to work with people as they embark on their journey to live their most authentic life. I will work with both individuals and families to achieve this goal. For the individual it may mean providing letters of support for gender affirming procedures, coordination with primary care providers, pediatricians, endocrinologists and other medical providers regarding HRT or Puberty Blockers, etc.

For the parents and family members of these individuals, I work to create a safe environment where you can gain knowledge and understanding of what your child/sibling/family member is going through, while also allowing a space to process these changes to the family system without disruptions that can lead to conflict or internalized feelings of judgement or shame.