“The journey across the great ocean of existence is a journey inward ever in deeper and deeper, and the deeper you get in, the more you meet truth.”
-Ram Dass
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic Therapy is an evidence-based approach that focuses on helping clients become aware of how current feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are shaped by past experiences. In other words, how do the events and environments from the past shape who you are now?
Humans develop their personality patterns during their formative years. When you begin to understand why and how you have the patterns that you do now, you develop self-awareness, self-compassion, and an increase in self-esteem.
Psychodynamic therapy also focuses on exploring the unconscious mind in order to develop self-awareness. Therapy helps you become aware of your internal experience so that you can decide how you want to change your experience of the world. Your internal experience consists of feelings and thoughts that you have about yourself. Therapy will help you explore and examine your mind so that you can better understand yourself and develop space to make thoughtful decisions rather than acting impulsively or reactively. These thoughtful decisions are not necessarily big life decisions for example changing careers or moving, but can be the moment to moment every day decisions such as deciding how to respond to your child or your partner in a stressful moment.
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Teenagers
Teenagers are in a difficult period of life because they are working toward being independent but they still require assistance and guidance from trusted adults. It is not uncommon for teens to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, or to need help navigating strong feelings related to peer and family relationships. Of course, parents want to be involved in their teenager’s therapy because they want to make sure their teen is getting the help they need. Oftentimes, the parent wants the teen to discuss different topics than what the teen wants to discuss with the therapist. As with therapy for adults, therapy with teens must maintain confidentiality in order for treatment to be successful. Parents will always be notified if there is a risk to their child’s safety or if others are at risk of danger. Each situation is unique, so at the beginning of treatment, I collaborate with teens and their parents to set up a confidentiality agreement to define the teen’s right to privacy and clearly explain how parents may be involved.
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Young Adults
Young adults such as those of college age and in their twenties are navigating how to live independently. Young adults are working on finding their identity and who they want to be in the world. People entering into adulthood face challenges with school, supporting themselves, navigating friendships and romantic relationships, and working.
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Adults
Adults struggle with all kinds of issues such as relationships (with family members, partners, peers) life transitions (marriage, divorce, moving, career change, parenting), loss and grief (inevitable parts of life). Many adults experience anxiety and depression and need support to figure out the best way to alleviate symptoms and improve their quality of life.