Through my clinical training, years of working with a variety of clients, and my own life experience, I’ve developed certain beliefs about people, about our culture, and about the process of therapy. One of those is that you, as a potential client, are entitled to know my what beliefs and biases are – so I’m sharing them here.

I Believe …

… that we are all capable of growth and change.

... that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a willingness to acknowledge one’s imperfection and desire to grow.

… that the biggest challenge facing most of us today is the challenge of managing our feelings, especially our feelings of fear.

… that discomfort is a normal part of life, and that where most of us go wrong is that we try to avoid discomfort, instead of finding ways to learn and grow from it.

… that this is true for conflict, also.

… that we live in a reactive, quick-fix, “buy now, pay later” society, and the messages we receive on a daily basis are harmful to our lives and relationships. Check out my blog if you’d like to read more of my thoughts about this subject.

… that all addictive behaviors have the same core: attempting to resolve some inner pain or discomfort through the use of something outside oneself.

… that every experience, no matter how difficult or painful, can serve a positive purpose in your life.

… that happiness has little to do with what you have and a lot more to do with how you choose to look at things and what you do. Finding and nurturing your own identity, strength, and creativity will help you to live a life that is true to you, which is a key to happiness. Helping people to discover and express their identity through their daily lives is something I love to do.

… that regardless of one’s religious or spiritual beliefs, the Serenity Prayer has valuable wisdom for all of us.

… that a vital part of the therapeutic process is helping people to find and nurture their own strength and creativity.

… that feelings of fear and shame often keep us from seeking help and support. Unfortunately, much like waiting a long time to see a doctor for a physical injury, this delay increases the time and energy needed to heal and can create further problems.

… that I am incredibly fortunate to be able to do the work that I do. People share themselves with me and entrust me with the job of supporting them as they work to heal their old wounds and face the fears that limit their potential. Witnessing the strength and courage of my clients on a daily basis is truly inspiring.