My Approaches

How I Think About Therapy

Most psychological difficulties are not random. They are patterned. The ways we relate, the emotions we avoid, the conflicts we repeat, and the roles we find ourselves playing often follow recognizable patterns.

These patterns developed for understandable reasons. They may have been adaptive at one point. Over time, however, what once protected us can begin to constrain us..

In therapy, we look closely at these patterns as they show up in daily life. That might mean noticing how you respond to stress, how you anticipate rejection or disappointment, how you manage closeness and distance, or how certain emotions feel easier to suppress than to tolerate.

Psychodynamic work is based on curiosity. We try to understand not only what is happening, but why it makes sense. When reactions that once felt automatic become understandable, they also become more flexible. This work often includes reflecting on earlier experiences, as well as staying closely connected to what is unfolding in your current life, including your relationships, work, identity, and decisions. The focus is on how these patterns are lived and experienced in the present, and how they can begin to shift.

At times, understanding a pattern is enough to loosen it. At other times, greater clarity makes it possible to experiment with something different. Therapy may involve practicing new ways of communicating, approaching decisions differently, setting boundaries more directly, or tolerating emotions that previously felt overwhelming.

I draw from multiple traditions when they are useful, including cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, acceptance-based, and internal family systems. These frameworks can offer language and tools that support regulation, flexibility, and follow-through. They are not applied uniformly, but thoughtfully, in response to what feels most relevant in the work.

Some phases of therapy are more exploratory. Others are more active and focused. Most involve both reflection and change. The pace and direction are shaped collaboratively, with attention to what feels possible and meaningful rather than prescriptive.

A Developmental and Neurodiversity-Informed Perspective

A significant portion of my work involves neurodivergent individuals and relationships. I have specialized training in working with autistic, ADHD, and OCD individuals across the lifespan, and am an AANE-certified neurodiverse couples therapist. I also conduct neurodivergence-focused psychological and diagnostic evaluations and work clinically with neurodivergent adults, adolescents, and couples. Working across these settings allows for a broader perspective that informs and deepens each aspect of what I do.

I approach this work through a developmental and trauma-informed lens, considering how neurodevelopment, temperament, early relationships, and experiences of being misunderstood or marginalized shape emotional regulation, identity, and relational style.

In my work, neurodivergence is understood as part of a person’s overall psychological experience rather than as a separate category. Differences in sensory processing, communication style, attention, or executive functioning often interact with attachment patterns, identity development, and social expectations in complex ways.

My approach is neurodiversity-affirming. The focus is on understanding context, reducing unnecessary shame, and identifying strategies that support functioning while respecting identity. This often involves helping people better understand their own cognitive and emotional patterns, developing practical tools for daily life, and addressing the relational misunderstandings that can arise when neurodivergent and neurotypical expectations collide.

Alongside my private practice, I serve as an adolescent and adult psychologist and Director of Assessments at Inclusive Minds Foundation, a neurodiversity-affirming nonprofit organization. In this role, I work with a multidisciplinary team conducting evaluations for individuals and families nationwide and facilitate virtual therapy groups. This ongoing work keeps me closely connected to a wide range of neurodevelopmental presentations and allows for regular collaboration with clinicians, educators, and other specialists, which continues to inform and strengthen my clinical work.