The Foundation:

My theoretical orientation is shaped by the belief that every individual carries inherent worth and the capacity for growth, regardless of their presenting challenges. Drawing on person-centered principles, I place an emphasis on fostering genuine empathy, unconditional positive regard, and an authentic therapeutic presence. These foundational values align closely with humanistic approaches, which affirm my client’s inherent potential for self-awareness and self-actualization. This stance is also influenced by gestalt theory, where attention is given to the here-and-now experience, personal responsibility, and the integration of mind, body, and spirit in a unified sense of self. I understand that deeper insight and change unfold when my clients are invited to bring present-moment awareness to their experiences, allowing them to reconcile past and present conflicts.

Existential elements further inform my approach, emphasizing the human search for meaning and the exploration of freedom, choice, and personal responsibility. In this perspective, I invite my clients to examine the deeper questions in life, such as meaning, purpose, autonomy, and the awareness of personal limitations. By doing this, I strive to help my clients uncover unique sources of meaning that can guide them through distressing experiences. My practice of existential therapy reinforces the importance of authenticity, promoting a shift away from purely superficial concerns toward a deeper understanding of one’s personal values.

Feminist theory adds another critical dimension to my orientation. I am attentive to how social, political, religious, and cultural forces might contribute to distress, especially by marginalizing or oppressing certain groups. My perspective recognizes the intersections of gender, class, race, sexuality, and ability status, acknowledging that these elements can profoundly shape an individual’s experiences of power and identity. I work to create an empowering therapeutic relationship by validating the client’s lived experiences, encouraging critical reflection on internalized biases, and facilitating a sense of agency that extends beyond the therapy room.

Drawing on psychoanalytic and psychodynamic traditions, I integrate an understanding of how early life experiences and unconscious patterns can influence present-day behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. I pay close attention to the ways in which relationships with significant caregivers might shape relational templates (attachment patterns, protective behaviors, deep-seated expectations, and ways of connecting) with others that can emerge in the therapeutic process. With gentle curiosity and compassion, I support my clients in exploring these dynamics, unveiling repressed feelings or conflicts that may be contributing to current challenges. In this way, I endeavor to connect past experiences with current patterns of thinking and behaving, aiming to lessen the power of subconscious drivers and increase my client’s conscious awareness.

Throughout this integrative model, self-compassion and empathy remain central. Grounded in the works of Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and other humanistic pioneers, I foster a safe and non-judgmental environment, ensuring my clients feel free to express their thoughts and emotions. I encourage my clients to rediscover strengths that may have been overshadowed by trauma, stress, or oppressive societal structures. By harnessing these strengths, an individual is positioned to redefine their personal narratives, broadening their sense of possibility. In addition, I weave in specific elements of gestalt work—such as experiments, role play, or guided imagery—to help my clients examine their unmet needs, tensions, or regrets that may surface during therapy. This experiential engagement allows my clients to practice new ways of relating to themselves and to others, fostering growth in both internal insight and external behavior.

In unifying these perspectives, I remain keenly aware of my client’s lived experience and cultural context. Central to this orientation is a recognition that transformative therapeutic work must account for the systems of privilege, oppression, and inequality that can shape mental health outcomes. As such, my viewpoint includes a strong sense of social justice, drawing from liberal and progressive ideologies. I consistently encourage my clients to question established norms or systemic structures that might be causing harm, facilitating not only personal healing but also a broader sense of empowerment.

Overall, my theoretical orientation is designed to help my clients explore past experiences while maintaining a strong focus on the present. It underscores the interplay between the individual’s internal world and the external realities of societal forces. Through empathy, respect, and an open heart, I work collaboratively with my clients to foster growth, healing, and a sense of freedom that arises from genuine self-discovery. The ultimate goal is to guide my clients in developing a deeper understanding of themselves and the rich array of factors—psychological, social, existential, and cultural—that contribute to their overall well-being.

The Pillars

I believe in a holistic and integrative approach to helping others that recognizes the complex and dynamic interplay of biology, culture, and personal experience. My theoretical orientation rests on principles drawn from biology, genetic heritability, and sociology, while also emphasizing the mind-body connection, mindfulness, multicultural diversity, and the power of positive psychology. I strive to cultivate a caring, empowering, and inclusive atmosphere where each individual can explore their strengths, address their challenges, and chart a path to well-being.

From my perspective, we are all profoundly shaped by our biology and genetic makeup. Research tells us that genetic heritability can contribute to predispositions in areas such as mental health challenges, emotional regulation, and substance use. However, I also believe strongly in our capacity for change and personal growth through neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to form new connections. This science serves as a foundation for much of my work, reminding me that every person holds the potential to rewrite patterns of thought and behavior, regardless of their starting point.

I see mental health in a wide social context, incorporating sociological perspectives that take into account how our relationships, communities, cultural identities, and social structures can all influence our sense of well-being. Because of this, I am committed to a multicultural and diversity-informed approach. By honoring the values, beliefs, and experiences that come with each unique cultural identity, I can tailor support that truly resonates with the individual’s worldview.

Embracing mind-body integration is another cornerstone of my practice. I view the mind and body as inseparable, influencing and informing one another. Stress, trauma, and other life experiences can affect both mental and physical health, so I believe it is essential to address both simultaneously. Incorporating mindfulness-based strategies helps us remain present and cultivate awareness of our thoughts and bodily sensations in a non-judgmental way. This practice often allows individuals to recognize limiting patterns, self-regulate more effectively, and build resilience in the face of difficulty.

At the heart of my work is a strengths-based, person-centered orientation. Borrowing from Carl Rogers’s person-centered therapy model, I focus on providing an empathetic, genuine, and accepting environment in which individuals feel safe to explore themselves, identify their values, and grow in alignment with those values. I also incorporate positive psychology principles—particularly the emphasis on character strengths and virtues—to help people cultivate hope, resilience, gratitude, and a sense of meaning in their lives. Rather than fixating exclusively on what is “wrong,” I shine a light on each individual’s innate capabilities, resourcefulness, and resilience.

My practice is likewise trauma-informed: I believe in honoring the client’s history and recognizing the ways in which traumatic experiences, whether physical, emotional, or environmental, can shape self-beliefs, coping mechanisms, and interpersonal patterns. By integrating trauma-informed care, I aim to provide a safe space in which individuals can process painful experiences without re-traumatization, moving toward empowerment and self-compassion.

In addition, I pay close attention to multiple life domains—such as family, work, community engagement, and physical health—and various health and wellness domains, like emotional health, spiritual well-being, and social connectedness. These multiple domains interact in subtle but significant ways, and true well-being often depends on addressing each of them holistically. I draw on guidelines and principles from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that highlight recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. I also use the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) guidelines to ensure my substance use treatment approaches are evidence-based, comprehensive, and person-centered.

In essence, my role is that of a guide and collaborator. I bring scientific knowledge, clinical experience, and compassionate presence, while those I work with bring their unique life stories, preferences, and personal wisdom. We work together to create a plan tailored to their individual goals, needs, and cultural context. Whether the journey involves healing from trauma, discovering a healthier approach to coping, building stronger relationships, or simply exploring personal growth, I see the person as an active participant in—and the ultimate expert on—their own life.

I believe in the transformative potential within every individual. I have witnessed people overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges, heal from deep wounds, and reclaim a sense of hope and possibility for the future. My goal is to provide a collaborative and supportive environment that empowers the individual to harness their strengths, nurture their capacity for growth, and move toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life. In our work together, I commit to compassion, openness, and respect for the experiences and identities that have shaped each person’s journey.

The Different Types of Therapy

I believe that the heart of effective counseling lies in creating a supportive, compassionate space where individuals feel safe, heard, and empowered to grow. My therapeutic orientation is integrative, which means I draw upon many evidence-based approaches to meet each person’s unique needs. Over the years, I have studied and practiced several models of treatment, and I continue to refine my style through ongoing professional development and research. Below, I describe the key influences that shape my perspective, along with a brief explanation of how I incorporate their core principles into my work.

First, I am deeply influenced by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Hayes et al., 1999). This approach reminds me to support clients in developing psychological flexibility. I encourage individuals to notice and accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment, and to identify their core values as a guiding light for meaningful action. I often use mindfulness exercises, metaphors, and experiential activities to nurture a willingness to experience life’s difficulties while still moving forward toward personal goals.

My work is also informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Beck, 1976). I find that helping someone recognize the ways in which beliefs, schema, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected can be incredibly powerful. By examining and reframing unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns, my clients and I collaborate to develop more balanced perspectives and to enact positive changes in daily life.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (Resick et al., 2002) is an especially important branch of CBT for individuals who have encountered traumatic experiences, as it focuses on revising maladaptive beliefs related to trauma, thereby promoting deeper healing and resilience.

Compassion Focused Therapy (Gilbert, 2009) significantly influences the tone of the counseling relationship I aim to build. By cultivating self-compassion, I find that people can reduce self-criticism and learn to treat themselves with greater kindness. This gentler internal stance lays the groundwork for sustainable change.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Linehan, 2015) further shapes my method, particularly through its Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Radically Open DBT modules. These techniques help individuals improve their ability to stay present, handle intense emotions, cope effectively with crisis, and communicate with clarity and respect. I also integrate advanced DBT skills and a spiritual perspective when it resonates with a person’s belief system, recognizing that a sense of transcendence can be an essential aspect of healing for many.

Emotion Focused Therapy (Johnson, 2004) is invaluable for understanding how emotions signal needs and shape our relationships. By identifying core emotional states, individuals become empowered to address them, which leads to more authentic and fulfilling connections.

When working with couples, I often draw upon Gottman’s Marriage Principles (Gottman & Silver, 1999) to help them recognize negative interaction patterns, nurture fondness and admiration, and learn healthier conflict-resolution strategies.

In addition, Internal Family Systems Therapy (Schwartz, 1995) informs my belief that each person carries multiple “parts” inside them, some protective and some vulnerable, all worthy of compassion and respect. By helping clients explore how these parts relate to each other, I assist them in finding internal harmony and self-leadership.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (Segal et al., 2002) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Kabat-Zinn, 1990) bolster the attention to present-moment awareness that resonates throughout my clinical work. These methods highlight the natural capacity we all have to observe our experiences without becoming overwhelmed.

I also use Motivational Enhancement Therapy (Miller & Rollnick, 1991) to guide individuals through ambivalence toward change, particularly when working through substance use or other habitual behaviors.

Polyvagal Therapy (Porges, 2011) informs my understanding of how the nervous system responds to perceived threats, helping me teach clients tools for regulating stress and building a sense of safety in the body.

Seeking Safety (Najavits, 2002) has proven beneficial when helping individuals work through both trauma and substance use, offering specific techniques for establishing emotional and physical security.

From a somatic perspective, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Ogden et al., 2006) and Somatic Experiencing (Levine, 1997) encourage awareness of body sensations, recognizing that trauma and stress can become stuck in the nervous system. By gently attending to the body’s signals, I help clients release tension, restore balance, and deepen their sense of grounding.

Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy (Humphreys, 2004) has long been recognized for its practical approach to addiction recovery, emphasizing peer support and spiritual growth. When relevant, I support individuals exploring the Twelve Steps, tailoring this framework to align with their unique values and beliefs.

Finally, I incorporate the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (Copeland, 1997) to help people develop personalized strategies for maintaining wellness and responding to triggers. This collaborative approach encourages the proactive identification of coping tools, support networks, and emergency measures so that individuals feel prepared, even when life becomes challenging.

All of these therapeutic methods come together in a way that is flexible and client-centered. I strive to demonstrate warmth, empathy, and genuine positive regard, creating an atmosphere where people feel respected and able to take courageous steps toward self-discovery. In my experience, when individuals are met with understanding and compassion, they can more easily explore new ways of thinking and relating to themselves and others.

My philosophy also leans toward a holistic perspective: I recognize that every part of life—biology, social environment, culture, spirituality, community—interacts and influences our overall well-being. As a result, I am committed to meeting each individual where they are and tailoring the use of these models in ways that honor their identities, backgrounds, and belief systems.

Ultimately, my hope is that through a collaborative relationship, individuals will discover new insights about themselves, develop practical strategies for everyday challenges, and foster a deep sense of self-compassion. I see therapy not only as a process of learning evidence-based skills, but also as a journey of growth, connection, and empowerment. It is my privilege to walk alongside those who entrust me with their stories, and I remain dedicated to providing a compassionate, research-informed environment to support their healing and personal development.

References

• Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. Meridian.
• Copeland, M. E. (1997). Wellness recovery action plan. Peach Press.
• Gilbert, P. (2009). The compassionate mind. New Harbinger.
• Gottman, J. M., & Silver, N. (1999). The seven principles for making marriage work. Three Rivers Press.
• Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy. Guilford Press.
• Humphreys, K. (2004). Circles of recovery: Self-help organizations for addictions. Cambridge University Press.
• Johnson, S. M. (2004). The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
• Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living. Dell.
• Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the tiger: Healing trauma. North Atlantic Books.
• Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT skills training manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (1991). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people to change addictive behavior. Guilford Press.
• Najavits, L. M. (2002). Seeking safety: A treatment manual for PTSD and substance abuse. Guilford Press.
• Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. Norton.
• Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. Norton.
• Resick, P. A., Monson, C. M., & Chard, K. M. (2002). Cognitive processing therapy: Veteran/military version. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Schwartz, R. C. (1995). Internal family systems therapy. Guilford Press.
• Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Guilford Press.