How I Can Help

I work with teens, young adults, and adults who are struggling with things like anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and difficult emotions.

A lot of the people I work with are used to keeping things together. They may be doing well in school or at work, taking care of other people, and generally looking like they're okay, while privately feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or exhausted. Others may be having a much harder time functioning and are looking for help getting back on their feet.

Sometimes there is a pretty clear reason someone comes to therapy. Sometimes it's more of a feeling that things just aren't working anymore. Both are welcome here!

Here are a few of the common challenges I work with in my practice:

Anxiety & Overthinking

Anxiety can show up in a lot of different ways. It can be constant worrying, second-guessing yourself, getting stuck trying to make the “right” decision, or spending way too much time thinking about things other people probably aren't thinking about at all. 

In our sessions, we can slow the spiral that happens and understand what your anxiety is trying to do for you. We can work on coping skills, setting boundaries with others and with yourself, and having more compassion for yourself while still accomplishing the things that are important to you. I use skills from psychodynamic therapy, CBT, and other strategies as needed for each individual client.

OCD & Intrusive Thoughts

OCD can take many different forms. You might struggle with intrusive thoughts or images, checking, reassurance seeking, avoidance, mental rituals, or spending a lot of time trying to figure out whether something is safe, okay, or “just right.” 

In our therapy sessions, we can work to build coping skills, confront fears in manageable ways, and help you to expand your life in ways that help you feel less restricted by your fears. I use Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) when it is appropriate and when a client is open to/looking for this treatment approach.  For more info on how I incorporate ERP, please click here.

Trauma & Difficult Past Experiences

Sometimes the effects of difficult experiences continue long after the original situation is over. You may find yourself reacting strongly to things that seem small, feeling disconnected from yourself, having trouble trusting others, or struggling with feeling “triggered” when you come across a reminder of the trauma.

I work with people who are trying to make sense of these patterns and understand how past experiences may still be affecting them today. This looks different depending on how you would like to approach trauma.  For example, some people find it helpful to talk about the trauma, talk through its impacts, and learn coping skills.  Others find that talking about the trauma causes more distress than it helps, in which case Flash is an option we will consider, as it does not require a significant amount of time spent discussing the trauma. Still others may find that a combination of approaches can be helpful. For more info on how I incorporate Flash, please click here.

Depression & Low Mood

Depression can mean feeling sad or hopeless, but it can also look like feeling numb, worn down, disconnected, irritable, or like everything takes more effort than it should. 

In our sessions, we will work to better understand what is happening, develop ways to cope with difficult emotions, have more compassion for yourself, and decrease how often and how intensely you experience challenging emotions. This can be through techniques including psychodynamic/”talk” therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and working toward building a life that feels both fulfilling and enjoyable for you.

People-Pleasing, Perfectionism & Self-Criticism

You may be someone who is very hard on yourself, has trouble setting boundaries, worries about disappointing other people, has a hard time saying no, or feels like you need to get things right in order to feel okay.

These patterns often develop for understandable reasons, even when they eventually leave you feeling exhausted or disconnected from what you actually want. Together we will work to understand where these patterns come from and begin to help you make choices that align more with what you want for yourself. This can be through exploring topics such as self-compassion, past traumas and challenges, values, boundaries, overall self-care, and any other factors that contribute to the challenges with which you are struggling.

Teens & Young Adults

I especially enjoy working with teens and young adults who are navigating a period of significant change while also trying to figure out who they are and what they want their lives to look like.  

This can include anxiety, depression, perfectionism, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, school or college stress, family dynamics, and the transition into adulthood. I aim to create a space that is collaborative and healing, and that feels like a space away from anxiety-inducing or stressful parts of life.

Therapy That Fits You

I do not believe there is one approach that works for everyone. I draw from several therapeutic approaches and tailor our work to your particular needs, goals, and personality.  We will check in occasionally throughout therapy to see what is working well for you and what you would like to change. I am also happy to collaborate with your other providers as needed/desired to ensure comprehensive care.

I provide telehealth therapy to clients in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.