My Approach to Therapy

"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’ve designed this page to answer your questions before we begin working together. You’ll learn about my approach to therapy as well as the different therapeutic approaches I offer to meet your specific needs. If you have a question that isn’t listed please feel free to contact me.

How would you describe your approach to therapy?
My approach to therapy is best described as integrative. This means I bring together a number of therapeutic approaches and unify them into a unique working model just for you.

My approach is also very holistic. My goal is to help you channel your inner driving force in a harmonious direction. This can be likened to a stream that flows between rocks. Your inner force is the water that is constantly rushing forward. By carefully placing rocks in that stream—these rocks can be physical, spiritual, mental or emotional—you can learn to channel your inner force in a positive, healthy and ever forward moving direction.

What are some of the methods or approaches you utilize?
I use a variety of approaches. This enables us to have great flexibility as we collaborate together to choose a method that feels comfortable and will best meet your needs. However, self-relations serves as a foundation for my work. Self-relations focuses on the crucial relationship between a person and their own self with the primary objective to awaken soul and love in a person’s experience.

Some of the methods I’ve studied in-depth and often use include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This is a term for therapy that emphasizes the role of thinking and its effect on emotions and behavior. It’s based on the principle that our thoughts influence our feelings and behavior. CBT is a collaborative effort that involves:
  • Analyzing your thinking and beliefs.
  • Getting to know yourself better through your emotional heritage.
  • Utilizing your strengths and skills.
  • Making use of progressive “homework assignments” to put to use what you’re learning.
  • Identifying specific goals and creating manageable steps to ensure success.
  • A time-limited process

• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) – This is a set of guiding principles, attitudes and techniques about real life behavior. NLP allows you to change, adopt or eliminate behaviors as you desire. It also gives you the ability to choose your mental, emotional, and physical states of well-being.

• Hypnotherapy – I found that hypnosis facilitates emotional and or behavioral change. It creates a deeply relaxed state in which mental stress and bodily tension is reduced. In this greater state of learning, the mind is more open to the process of change because the analytical mind is far less active. In this way, you and I can safely work together to enhance mental, physical and emotional well-being.

• Hakomi – Mindfulness based self study is one of the pioneering forms of body-centered therapies. Hakomi relies on mindfulness of body sensations, emotions, and memories to establish and enhance communication between conscious and unconscious, and between mind and body.

• Guided Imagery & Visualizations – When appropriate I will guide you through a meditative visualization and use either specific images or invite images to emerge from your own inner experience. The intent of the guided imagery can range from creating a sense of well-being, to reducing stress, preparing for an important meeting, a surgery or decreasing symptoms of anxiety.

What is your philosophy on healing?
Our society seems to view therapy as a matter of fixing what’s broken. I see it instead as a process that enhances our strengths. I believe we all come equipped with an exceptional sense of inner intuition, a sense of knowing that is intimately linked to our physical experience. Unfortunately, due to our upbringing and life experiences we often learn to disconnect from that in order to adapt and survive in our environment. Therapy can be the ritual with which we reconnect with our own inner experience embracing whatever arises within, with peaceful awareness and clear intention. In the process, we experience joy, grief, anger, amusement, pain, energy – the full emotional range. And we often discover the strength of developing and cultivating an attitude of patient, loving presence that allows the emotions to flow according to their own natural rhythm. I believe healing can be a life-long process as we continue to discover ways to update ourselves and function at higher levels in relation to our surroundings.

What is your personality like?
I love people. I'm curious to learn who they are, how they operate and what their personal belief system and personal strategies are. In therapy, it’s like I’m holding a mirror and reflecting back to my clients what makes them beautiful and unique.  I model a welcoming attitude to life by being open and flexible and creating meaningful rituals. I am also fearless. This quality is often necessary when we need to push through obstacles in therapy that may appear insurmountable.

Do you address physical complaints – such as headaches, IBS, neck pain – in therapy?
Yes. I utilize body-centered therapy because I firmly believe there is a strong connection between mind and body. Often, the sensation of pain acts as our body’s warning sign that something is off balance and needs immediate attention.  Also, most people find that the pain experience is worse if they are anxious. I find Hypnotherapy to be very effective in decreasing pain. The hypnotic inductions gently guide you into a deeper state of relaxation, progressively relaxing muscles and nerves, while promoting a deep sense of inner calm. With repeated use, individuals learn how to do their self-hypnosis, and their body accumulates their own form of memory for the relaxation experience. Hypnotic suggestions are also included to promote a deeper healing sleep and to enhance the positive effects of exercise, nutrition, and any medications you are using. Physical problems often lessen dramatically when we are able to relax and tap into the underlying issues.

Where is your office located? What is it like?
My office is located in downtown Ashland, Oregon. You’ll walk into a waiting room with a beautiful fountain and lots of greenery. I’ve designed my office with neutral colors and dark woods to enhance the sense of serenity.

How often should I schedule my visits? Can I reach you between sessions?
Generally I recommend that we start with weekly 60 minute sessions to establish our rapport and build some momentum in our work together. Later, we may decide to meet once or twice a month depending on your circumstances.

I understand that it’s important that I be available between sessions. I use a voice mail system and return calls within 24 hours.