Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and lost?
Support for the overthinkers, people pleasers, and sensitive rebels
Are you ...
... someone who's smart and thoughtful, but who often gets lost in spirals of overthinking and analysis paralysis?
... struggling to figure out how to navigate a world that often feels harsh and overwhelming, leaving you wondering if you're 'too sensitive'?
... feeling burned out from years of taking care of your responsibilities and those of the others around you?
... full of ideas that excite you....and the accompanying self-doubt that paralyzes you, leaving you feeling like a failure?
... wondering if you're someone who 'just can't do relationships' because you can't seem to get the connection you're looking for, no matter how hard you try?
You're not alone
If you find yourself nodding, I've got good news: there's nothing wrong with you, and I can help.
I've been there, too – it was my own journey through darkness and recovery that inspired me to pivot away from an unfulfilling IT career. For over 20 years now, I've been helping people like you create happier, more fulfilling lives and relationships. While I am a licensed therapist, these days most of my work — and how I do it – would be better described as coaching.
Labels aside, what really matters is what my clients get from our work together:
Courage to take the necessary actions to move their lives in a better direction.
Confidence in themselves and their ability to not only manage the challenges of life, but to create and maintain the life they want (but may have come to doubt was possible).
"I should be able to figure this out on my own...."
If you’re like most of my clients, you’ve had to figure a lot out on your own ... and you've been burned more than once when you turned to others for support. So, if you've got this objection ringing in your head, I wouldn't be surprised.
I know how loud it can get – It's a voice that's all too familiar to me.
But, here's the thing: what if trying to do it yourself is the very thing keeping you stuck?
Seeking help can feel scary, and it should be done cautiously.
But, it’s not weakness. (I used to think so.)
It could well be the next step forward.
Let's get you moving in the right direction.
Schedule a free consultation and we'll figure out what makes sense for you, whether that's working with me or heading a different route.
— AL
How it works
There's no one-size-fits-all formula here. The work I do with my clients is individualized and collaborative. I'm here to be a supportive guide, helping you navigate your growth journey with compassion and insight (plus the occasional bit of humor. I promise to keep the dad jokes to a minimum.) I'll help you to see what you're not seeing, to learn what you need to know, and support you in taking the actions needed to get you from where you are to where you want to be.
There's a few different ways we can work together, from a one-off Compass Call to ongoing support. While each package is personalized to your needs, most include:
- Regular phone calls where you get to be fully yourself – no need to perform or put on a front.
- Optional asynchronous support between calls
- Ideas, prompts, or ideas to explore between sessions
-DT
FAQ
Is this coaching? Therapy? Something else?
While I am a licensed therapist, coaching is a better word for most of the work I do these days. It's collaborative, future-focused, and action-oriented. That said, if therapy is the right approach for your situation, and you're in California, that'll be the route we go.
How long do you usually work with clients?
It depends (I hate the vagueness of that answer, but it's the honest one.) For some clients, it's just a few months while they tackle a specific challenge. For others it's longer-term, because they value the ongoing support of having a trusted advisor help them navigate through life.
How do I know if we're a fit?
The best way to figure that out is for us to connect and have a conversation, which is why I offer free consultations. By talking about what you're looking for help with, exploring how I'd work with you, and addressing any questions you have, we'll get a pretty good sense of whether we'd work well together.
What kinds of problems do you help people with?
Whatever's got them stuck between where they are and where they want to be. Some days people bring concrete, specific problems ('How do I handle this issue with my boss?) Other times, it's more messy and amorphous ('what should I do with my life?') Bring what you've got and we'll unpack and address it together.
A little more about me
As someone who grew up without some of the support we all need and deserve, I've had my own struggles with feeling like an outsider who was 'too sensitive' and 'too nice'. Since becoming a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (California Lic #MFC43212) in 2006, I’ve had the privilege to support hundreds of people on their journeys of recovery and growth, and I continue to be energized and inspired by the work my clients do. Outside of work, you can probably find me reading, playing games with my family, helping the dogs at our local animal shelters, making music, or eating pizza & drinking something fizzy.
— NS
What's next?
If what you've read resonates and you're curious to learn more, the next step is simple: schedule a free consultation. We'll connect, explore where you're stuck, what you're looking for help with, and address any questions you have. If it makes sense at that point, we can also talk through next steps. If not, I'll send you off with some ideas and resources to help.
If you're not sure about a call, you can subscribe to my newsletter instead. You'll get occasional emails with insights, tools, and resources to help support you on your path, as well as a short course I created: The 3 Patterns That Keep Smart, Sensitive People Stuck—And How to Start Unwinding Them.
Whether or not we end up working together, I hope you find a path that connects you to yourself and a life that feels more empowered, fulfilling, and true to you. Keep moving forward.