Adult Individual Psychotherapy
A place to understand yourself more deeply
I specialize in trauma-focused psychotherapy for adults, with a particular focus on developmental and relational wounds. Our work explores how earlier experiences continue to shape your relationship with yourself and others, including why some choices may feel out of reach today. I also help adults navigate anxiety, depression, low self-worth, and obstacles to intentional living.
What it’s like to work with me
I want to understand what hurts, what feels confusing, what you fear, and what makes it hard to respond differently, even when you want to. When something important passes quickly in conversation, I may invite us to return to it. Your feelings, experiences, and needs deserve attention, especially if you have become accustomed to moving past them.
I can be direct when such clarity is in your best interest or when an observation could open something meaningful for us to explore. I also give deep pain room. How we proceed depends on what is happening for you and what you need in that moment.
There may be times when I can see possibilities or qualities in you that feel difficult for you to recognize. We can explore what makes them hard to access and unearth the barriers that obscure them. When you feel lost, I can hold hope for a future you may have difficulty imagining.
Understanding your emotional responses
My training in neuropsychotherapy informs how I help you understand the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, and body. When fear or despair becomes intense, we may first work on helping you feel more regulated so that reflection and exploration become more accessible.
Education is part of our work together. I share information verbally but also guide you through exercises in which you learn to notice the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical responses. Experiences like these give us something concrete to explore and help you become more familiar with what happens inside you. Some exercises are aimed at helping you widen the space between stimulus and your conscious response.
Shame, vulnerability, and your relationship with yourself
My training in Brené Brown’s work informs how we explore perfectionism, fear of vulnerability, shame, trust, and boundaries. We consider your values and how you want those values to guide your behavior, particularly when fear or shame has been steering your choices.
Together, we explore what it means to author your own story. That includes developing a kinder relationship with yourself and making choices that reflect your needs, values, and sources of happiness.
Change you can recognize in your life
I hope our work helps you feel more able to influence the direction of your life and make healthier decisions that once felt difficult or unavailable. Change becomes tangible when new, deeply felt truths change how you respond. As your understanding deepens, we work toward bringing that awareness into how you treat yourself, relate to others, and choose what comes next.
In-person sessions are available in Encinitas for adults throughout North County San Diego,
including Carlsbad, Leucadia, Solana Beach, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Telehealth is available across California.