Individual Therapy

Surprised but not satisfied.

“Surprise!!!” everyone shouted at her when she walked through the door. Happy Birthday!! Screams and hollers were swamped with hugs and kisses, presents, and balloons. He comes up and gives a hug and a kiss. “Happy Birthday, Babe, were you surprised?”

Surprised doesn’t even come close to what she felt. Today is her 40th Birthday, a landmark age, right? But it doesn’t feel like that for her. She feels stuck at a job that she doesn’t even enjoy. This job just fell into her lap, but it was supposed to be temporary until she could get her dream job. Now, her confidence is gone, and she feels scared to move forward.

She fears that she will lose her job because she has completely lost her focus and her motivation. She continually feels like her anxiety is out of control. Just like right now – her heart is beating fast, she has sweaty palms, and she wants to escape this attention.

“Honey, I asked if you were surprised!” She was an introvert, more reserved, and hated big crowds. He was an extrovert. Doesn’t he even know her? “Umm yeah, I was surprised. Thanks for doing this.”

She knew his intentions were good. In her ear he says, “I just know you’ve been down lately and wanted you to know how many people love and care about you.” There was no doubt in her mind this was his last-ditch effort to get her out of this funk she had been in for months.

There also was no doubt in her mind that this was not going to do the trick.

She wanted more.

What she did know deep inside was that these people didn’t know her at all. They had no clue who she was, what her insecurities were, and why she felt so lonely when in a big crowd.

They all saw her as a confident businesswoman who could handle anything. But inside, she felt like she was drowning. No way out. It was exhausting keeping up this charade. She was functioning but not thriving.

I just want to escape and feel better for a change! I want to feel confident and sure of myself. I don’t want to have constant doubts about my worth and question whether I am doing a good enough job at work or as a partner. I want to wake up in the morning and feel like there is hope and have something to look forward to in my life.

I want to live again! I want to know joy, peace, and contentment. I want to feel sexy and attractive and feel like there is so much life to live, and I have so much more to experience.

I want… I want…

You can have the life you want…

Look, I know that SHORT story may not completely describe your situation. But the real question is do you see PARTS OF yourself in it? If so, I can help you.

Many times, people have walked in my door wondering if there is HOPE. Either they don’t recognize themselves anymore, or they are just completely disappointed in who they have become.

It is not my job to tell you what is wrong and exactly what you should do. That would be arrogant. I know that within you is all that you need to make changes. And the change occurs as we work together to uncover and explore all that you are and all that you can be.

It’s about self-discovery.

Together, we find the best parts of yourself once again. You will begin to rediscover who you are and what you were always meant to be. We will find out what causes this disconnect between the relationships you want to have, the job you want to enjoy, and the life you’ve always wanted.

But it is not enough to just gain “insight” into how this happened. The more important part is the tools and skills I will help you develop that can move you forward to that goal, that dream, of your best self.

Circumvent the problems and achieve your dreams.

Depression is a symptom; it is not the problem. Anxiety is a symptom; it is not the problem. Your relationship problems are a symptom, but they are not the problem.

You will explore with me NOT ONLY what is CAUSING these symptoms of depression and anxiety and these relationship difficulties; but, more importantly, you will develop insights and tools that you can use to bypass these obstacles to your goals and dreams.

You want a full life with love and connection, passion, and hope – and you can have that. I work with you in a non-judgmental, supportive fashion. I provide for you a safe and confidential place where you can open up and let your true self come forward.

Not even trauma from your past will keep you from those goals because I have proven methods to help you move through that trauma where you can find healing and confidence. The trauma will no longer be an obstacle to the future you want.

Years of training have prepared me to help you.

I come from a humanistic, experiential, and attachment-based approach called Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy. I do interweave other therapies that are useful depending on the issues you might be experiencing such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Internal Family Systems therapy. I am grateful to have learned these approaches because they have increased my effectiveness as a therapist.

I have worked successfully with many people who were significantly depressed, anxious, or having serious relationship problems with not only their spouse but other significant relationships such as with other family members and friends. Each person had their unique causes and conditions for their present state of mind, but what is common is that I fundamentally believe every person had all that they needed within them to become more fulfilled and live the life they truly wanted to live. I will help you access that part of yourself, just as I helped them.

I hope to join you on your journey…

Please call me at (562) 213-5318 to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.