“Music, along with other forms of self-expression, continue to inform my understanding of how individuals communicate their pain and their strength.”
What was your path to becoming a therapist?
Before becoming a therapist, I pursued a career as a musician. I find that music and the mind/body connection are valuable resources for healing. Music, along with other forms of self-expression, continue to inform my understanding of how individuals communicate their pain and their strength. My involvement with Buddhism and mindfulness has paralleled my interest in psychotherapy, complementing one another in important ways. My professional training included work at a psychoanalytic institute where I learned ways of exploring how formative childhood experiences emerging in the present allow new growth and relief from painful conflicts.
What should someone know about working with you?
When working with new clients, I find it helpful to understand someone’s unique history and overall life circumstances in which their conflicts or traumas arise. Hearing details about the past as well as one’s goals for the future sets the foundation where collaborative exploration can occur within an atmosphere of safety and curiosity. I allow the client to set the pace and tone of our work together while I provide honest feedback and an authentic presence.
What do you do to continue learning and building competencies as a provider?
I think it’s important that therapists continue to learn from their clients as well as other therapists. Training in culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed therapy is often a requirement for clients to feel understood and supported. Receiving feedback continues to challenge and encourage me in working with clients who do not share my identity as well as in working with clients who do. Regular consultation with other therapists and mentors under strict confidentiality continues to be a resource for any difficulties I encounter when working with my clients.
“I allow the client to set the pace and tone of our work together while I provide honest feedback and an authentic presence.”