In psychoanalytic psychotherapy, we recognize both the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self and consider how connected or protected these aspects of the self are. When these aspects of our self are less connected, we can feel confused by our own emotions or actions until we become aware of their unconscious roots. We might first attempt to understand the ways in which protecting and/or disconnecting from these aspects of self have been helpful or necessary. Where it is appropriate, we work towards making the unconscious aspects of ourselves conscious so that we have more agency and freedom in our lives. I find that psychoanalytic therapy is well-complimented by theories of liberation, as it helps us to locate and work through internalized oppression.

Psychoanalytic therapy has been the subject of much critique for valid reasons; many other forms of therapy have evolved in reaction to these critiques. Behavioral therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT have provided shorter-term results for specific symptoms through the use of standardized techniques. Trauma-focused interventions, such as EMDR or ART, can quickly improve one’s ability to function in life after trauma. Much like a thorough reorganization project of a unique home, psychoanalytic therapy involves a temporary worsening of symptoms as we sort things out, find a place for our experiences in a narrative, and establish healthier, more authentic relationships. We will work together to find the pace that works best for you. The arc of psychoanalytic therapy is much longer, though its benefits continue to grow even after the therapy concludes, whereas clients may need to return to other forms of therapy periodically. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is universally appropriate when tailored to individual needs and supported by complimentary strategies, though positive outcomes rely on greater tenacity in the client.

Psychoanalytic therapy has a less-defined agenda or structure than other therapies. I will encourage you to explore and express thoughts, emotions, and sensations. As our patterns of relating are formed by the ways others have related to us, we can transform these patterns in the context of a therapy relationship. I listen to what you express and help you notice the connections between past relationships, current relationships outside of therapy, and how you and I relate within sessions.

I recommend once weekly as a standard, though I encourage twice weekly sessions where a faster pace of therapy will better match a client’s motivation or the pace of a client’s life.

A primary task in adolescence is learning to develop relationships outside of the immediate family unit. Therapy provides a safe place to learn, where confidentiality allows young people to explore their identity and self in relation to another while there remains a connection with parents and/or caregivers. I meet with parents separately from adolescents at a frequency that suits the context of the parent-adolescent relationship. For adolescents, I recommend 1-3 parent sessions for every 6 individual therapy sessions.

The most accurate answer to this question will come from your insurance provider. I recommend checking your plan details and/or calling the Member Services phone number for your provider.

No, I do not practice family or couples therapy, in which interventions focus on making changes within systems dynamics rather than within the individual or one-on-one relationship. If the issues you bring to therapy involve others to the extent that a systems-oriented approach would be more helpful, I will let you know and recommend couples or family therapy as an adjunctive or alternative mode of therapy.

No; while I do not prescribe medications or provide psychological testing, I can refer you to clinicians who provide these services.

Yes; I use HIPAA-compliant Zoom and Doxy.me to meet with clients remotely.