Areas of Practice
Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety Disorders and Depressive Disorders often go hand in hand, with clients often experiencing both or alternating between periods of one or the other. Anxiety Disorders include generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, separation anxiety and feelings of being an imposter. No matter which anxiety disorder a person struggles from, these disorders can profoundly impair an individual’s ability to be successful in their life. These disorders can prevent a person from engaging in their environment, potentially causing poor academics, job loss, relational distress, sexual dysfunction and financial stress. Depressive disorders are mental health disorders characterized by symptoms such as persistent sadness, reduced energy levels, hopelessness, and recurring thoughts of death. While depressive disorders are often referred to by the general term depression, the category contains a number of distinct disorders. The two most common types of depression are major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. Some who struggle with untreated depression turn to alcohol or other drugs as a means to self-medicate, many also report engaging in self-harming behaviors. I utilize a humane and empathic approach. I know how difficult it can be to suffer in silence and feel alone in the company of others. As a result I seek to create a therapeutic relationship with my clients that connects with those hurt, neglected and anxious part. I believe that through the safety of this connection the client can begin to explore the reality of their distress and eventually create unique solutions to address their needs and overcome the challenges they face.
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders refer to a range of persistent mental health disorders that can have a negative effect on a person’s life. Certain personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, can result in emotional instability and troubled relationships while other personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder, can result in exploitative behavior, delusions of grandeur, manipulation, and inflicting emotional abuse. Regardless of the personality disorder with which a person is diagnosed, these disorders can powerfully impede an individual’s ability to live a fulfilling life. Personality disorders are unique in their chronic and destructive nature. I seek to a utilize long term approach in addressing both the existential concerns of the client and the presenting relational patterns clients experience as a result of a personality disorder. We also address the underlying systemic causes that may have first enabled and sustained the conditions necessary for a personality disorder to arise, such as trauma and abuse.
Infidelity
Infidelity in any context can cause severe distress to a relationship and the people involved. It can leave partners feeling devastated, alone, betrayed, and confused. Trust is damaged if not entirely lost. Sometimes, an affair ends a relationship. Other times, couples can repair the relationship. At times what constitutes an infidelity for one partner may not constitute an infidelity for the other. I understand the pain, grief and shame that can result from infidelity. As a result I assist clients through a comprehensive approach aimed at facilitating clients expressing their distress, processing their experience, before assimilating the experience and possibly creating a new relationship born out of the rupture created by the infidelity.
Trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health disorder that occurs after a person has been exposed to one or more types of trauma. Traumas can refer to life threatening situations, physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, migration, crime and war. Symptoms can include flashbacks to the trauma, nightmares, withdrawing from relationships, irritability, diminishing self-esteem and suicidality. I understand that you are more than the sum of your problems and symptoms and I seek to connect with you the whole person not only your trauma. I utilize a comprehensive approach in order to help process the client’s trauma while creating a safe environment where client can embark on their healing process at their own pace.
Relational & Emotional Abuse
Relational or Emotional abuse is often difficult for clients to discern given the subtle and insidious nature of the abuse. Many are victimized and do not realize it or feel that they deserve such treatment. This type of abuse is a form of manipulation used to maintain control in a relationship. This abuse may include verbal attacks, humiliation, intimidation, bullying, and isolation. It can also look like a one sided relationship where one partner’s needs are met at the expense of the other. It can cause deep emotional harm that may last for years. At Stepping Stones we utilize a nonjudgemental comprehensive approach to treating Relational or Emotional Abuse. I understand how vulnerable and ashamed client’s often feel as a result of emotional abuse. It takes a lot of courage to simply admit one is hurt let alone seek help. Treatment is set at the client’s pace and is composed of both psychoeducation regarding the nature of this kind of abuse and long term therapy to heal the deep wounds created by the abuse.
Racial Trauma & Cultural trauma
Racial and Cultural trauma refers to traumatic events experienced by members of a minority community typically perpetrated by those in the majority or the ruling socioeconomic structure. Often these abuses are committed in a fashion that is sudden and sanctioned leaving the suffering person feeling powerless to affect a situation they are often blamed for. In the United States, especially given the current socioeconomic and political climate, Immigrants, those in poverty, BIPOC, and LGBT individuals are especially vulnerable to this kinds of trauma. Racial or Cultural trauma can have a detrimental psychological impact on individuals and their wider communities. In some individuals, prolonged incidents of this kind can lead to symptoms like those experienced with post-traumatic stress disorder. This can look like depression, anger, recurring thoughts of the event, physical reactions (e.g. headaches, chest pains, insomnia), hyper-vigilance, low-self-esteem, and avoidance. I do not pretend to say to my clients that with a therapeutic session we will fix the socioeconomic and systemic oppression they face. However, I believe that through the therapeutic relationship clients suffering from Racial or Cultural trauma can feel safe, heard and have their experiences validated. I seek to understand your plight and join you in the midst of your distress without blaming you for your oppression or dismissing your suffering as the result of character flaws. I also believe in utilizing the resources within your person as well as your culture and history in your therapeutic process. Therapy can be a space where you can be proud to be who you are.
Bipolar Disorder I & II
Bipolar Disorder is classified under the category of mood disorder. Bipolar disorder is broken down into two categories, Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 is characterized by at least one episode of mania, which is defined as a distinct period of persistently and abnormally elevated mood and increased energy, lasting for most of every day for at least one week. Bipolar 2 is usually characterized by long periods of depression punctuated by periods of hypomania. Hypomania (little mania) is very similar to mania but behaviors and elevated states are less severe than in mania. Studies have shown that best therapeutic outcomes are achieved through a combination of concurrent psychiatric care and psychotherapy. I utilize an eclectic approach to help foster stability in the life of a client facing Bipolar Disorder. I strive to create a judgement free zone where client’s can be open about their experiences and work on implementing changes geared toward a healthy life.
Life Transitions
Changes be it good or bad are a difficult thing. It can be very scary to go from the comfort of what is familiar to the unknown of what’s to come, even when it is something good. Changes and especially difficult changes, can influence personal growth. Facing change can lead to a stronger, more confident, and better prepared self for what comes next in life. When client’s are finding it difficult to transition and change from one way of living to another, therapy can help process these worries and embrace the possibilities of what’s to come. I know that change and transitions are hard, despite being a natural part of life. As a result I utilize an accepting and compassionate approach to meet my clients where they are and collaboratively work towards their transformation.
Dreamers, Rejects, Rebels, & Inbetweeners
There is a growing feeling of dissatisfaction in the modern world. Despite the technological advances many feel that life has become more alienating and inhumane. At times a gnawing sense of fear and hollowness keeps us up well into the night. Some find solace in an idealized notion of the past. Some find comfort in an idealized version of the future. Regardless of this, what seems to be true is a growing feeling that there is something wrong with the way things are. Often a person’s distress comes not from mental pathology or trauma, but from the clash of a human being, with an increasingly inhuman society. You are not wrong for wanting something more from life, you are not wrong for feeling that existence should be more than sleep, work, internet scrolling and repeating. In cases such as this psychotherapy can be of great help to the individual who finds themself feeling coerced into being who they are told to be while being robbed of who they are. First, therapy can provide respite from the judgements of the world, therapy can be a container for that which is dear to you but discarded by the world. Second, therapy can provide an environment where you can be with yourself in a focused way. Lastly, therapy can provide a structure that allows you to examine the reality of being you and decide how you wish to utilize this reality to engage the world. This is then practiced with intention within the therapeutic relationship until you feel that you have mastered this way of being. In a world that often appears to see through you, therapy can provide you with a mirror to examine yourself and become your greatest advocate against the pressures of this world.