When people are depressed they have a hard time believing in their own worthiness.  Clients often use the metaphor of a spiral or dark cloud.  Depression can feel overwhelming, as if there is no end in sight.

In session I offer a compassionate and attentive space to explore what hurts. I help you believe in your own worthiness and your inherent ability to connect to yourself and the world.  

Sometimes we all feel pushed around by our thoughts and feelings. Our "inner critic" can be incredibly harsh. The goal of therapy is not to eliminate our inner critic, but to create space where we can develop a new relationship with them.  We may want a relationship where we can say, "not now."

In therapy we take time to observe the mind; I work with clients to name their thoughts, to identify what's coming up.  One thing clients often notice is that they feel ashamed or embarrassment for feeling depressed or sad in the first place.  They are often feeling bad for feeling bad.  

In our sessions we will work to disrupt the shame you're feeling so we can work on what's underneath.  I will offer alternatives to your inner narrative, and support you with tools and perspectives to develop resilience.  Together, we can strengthen the part of you that is committed to greater happiness and self-love.  

Loneliness

With all the talk on how "connected" we are in modern society, we are also living in a time a great loneliness.   Research shows feelings of loneliness to be at an all time high, and what's worse, it's a killer!  Research aside, feeling lonely is the pits.  It's painful.  We often add to the pain by feeling embarrassed or ashamed of being lonely in the first place. This shame further cuts us off from others, as well as from ourselves.  If you share your loneliness with me, I will greet it with great care.  I will thank you for being vulnerable and I will work to help you create and claim greater connection to the world.   

We all feel lonely at times and we all develop ways to deal with it.  We cope in all kinds of ways: food, tv, internet, alcohol, you name it.  How's it working for you?   

What would it look like for you to live feeling more connected to yourself and the world?  

When I work on issues of loneliness with clients we explore real and perceived barriers and imagine what it might look like to feel more connected.  Using evidence-based techniques grounded in Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and my professional experience as a community-based clinician, I help clients reconnect with themselves and the world around them.  

From the Poet, Hafiz:

Admit something:

Everyone you see, you say to them,
“Love me.”

Of course you do not do this out loud;
Otherwise,
Someone would call the cops.

Still though, think about this,
This great pull in us
To connect.

Ready to get started? Leave me a phone or email message and I'll get back to you to schedule a free phone call.