I have been in practice since 1988 and with Virginia Family Counseling since its inception in 1991. I work with adults in both individual and couples counseling and draw from a variety of theoretical approaches including psychodynamic, systems, and cognitive-behavioral. In 1998, I was trained in EMDR Therapy and found it to be such a powerful approach that I went on to become both certified in, and an approved consultant of, the method. It has been my experience that many current life stresses that negatively effect one's self-esteem are the result of traumatic experiences, both small and large that aren't completely resolved and processed. EMDR Therapy provides people with the ability to work through these memories in order to permanently change beliefs about themselves that had been developed as a result of the disturbing incidents.
I work in a stage-oriented approach to healing, helping my clients to first feel safe and have the resources necessary to be able to then heal from the painful things that have happened to them. This healing then allows them to reconnect with who they are and were meant to be.
When I am counseling a couple, I draw heavily on the work of Julie and John Gottman, PhD who have spent over 30 years researching relationships and what makes them work and have developed a realistic strategy for helping couples to incorporate this learning to promote a successful healing union.
My areas of clinical expertise include simple and complex trauma, self - esteem and developing a relationship with the self, depression, women's issues, stress management, and marriage and parenting. I have a performance background, having been a member of the award - winning speech team at George Mason University as well as coaching the team and teaching in the communication department in the areas of public speaking and interpersonal communication for several years. I now use that experience combined with EMDR Therapy to help people in all areas of performance enhancement including public speaking, acting, sports, test- taking and interviewing.
I have also presented to several groups on the topics of stress management, self-esteem, and public speaking and present to professionals on the topic of stage-oriented trauma treatment. In addition, I am an EMDR Therapy Consultant to several clinicians in the area. Learn more about my consultation services.
I hope this information about my background is helpful and I would look forward to working with you to meet your goals!
To see a handout about EMDR Therapy, click here.
To see a handout about EMDR Therapy, click here.
