Depression and anxiety are two sides of the same coin-- what is depressing us is often also what is making us anxious. In depth psychology, we imagine depression as an important psychological experience that deserves care, tending, and attention. Sometimes people need to learn how to cope with periods of depression. But I also work with people who are wanting to understand why they are depressed and what the deeper soul-level significance might be. In addition to finding avenues for relief, I work with clients to consider the idea that depression can be a meaningful life experience that asks for a re-evaluation of values and life focus. Through this process, we can uncover valuable insights and work towards making profound, lasting changes that foster greater self-awareness, healing, and personal growth.

Matrescence refers to the psychological and developmental process of becoming a mother. Coined by the anthropologist Dana Raphael, this term refers to the idea that when a child is born, a mother is also born. This process entails shedding one’s previous identity and undergoing a profound and intricate transformation. I work closely with mothers who are navigating this journey and seeking to understand who they are now that they have become a parent.

The Covid-19 pandemic upended the mothering experience for many of us. The immense stress and isolation that has accompanies this major life event left numerous women feeling disconnected from themselves and utterly overwhelmed. I work with mothers who are coming to terms with what they endured while surviving the pandemic to hopefully find your way back to yourself.

Eating and body image stress are prevalent issues in American culture, especially for women. My dissertation research delved into the concept of “normative body discontent,” which refers to the sub-clinical pervasive feeling of body hatred experienced by most women on a daily basis. (Rodin et al., 1984) Unfortunately, despite being such a common experience, body hatred and its associated sufferings are often overlooked in women’s psychological research. As a result, even in therapy settings, therapists may focus on weight loss or fitness goals instead of addressing the root causes of these behaviors and the distress they cause.

One of the most difficult aspects of body hatred I will help you overcome is the sense of isolation and anxiety with feeling uncomfortable in your own skin. Not feeling okay, worried, anxious and out of place due to feelings about your body can be signifiers of this kind of body stress. It is not something to be minimized as the emotional and mental energy that women dedicate to body hatred is significant. To address these concerns, I take a feminist and intuitive eating approach.

For many women, navigating the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other substances can be a complicated process. On the one hand, you might feel that it is harmless and can help you unwind after a long day. However, on the other, you may have an underlying worry that you are drinking or using too much due to sleep problems or changes in moods. We will approach this topic without judgment or imposing any “shoulds” regarding substances. Instead, we compassionately assess the role they play in your life, exploring whether they are truly beneficial or causing more harm than good. Together, we can identify a middle path that works for you in terms of substance use. By taking this approach, we can help you find balance and make a choice that support your well-being.

Psychedelic research is proliferating and offers hope for many people suffering with depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and addictions. My focus is on aiding those seeking support by integrating their psychedelic experiences into their lives in a purposeful and meaningful manner, with the aim of harnessing these transformative moments to instigate significant and long-lasting changes.