Pursuing
higher education is a necessity in today's world, however the
transitions and pressures can sometimes feel overwhelming. Being in a
new environment, attempting to master a work/life balance, deciding on a
major, or completing a thesis can feel unmanageable at times. Together we can work through the difficulties of academic life. If you have ever felt "stuck", been told you're not "living up to your potential", or live in constant fear of not being good enough, psychotherapy can be a helpful option.
The
academic, physical and emotional challenges of completing medical school
and matriculating through a residency are complicated and even the most
well prepared can become un-tethered by the pressures. I have worked
with many doctors in training both in my private practice as well as in
academic medical facilities and am uniquely attuned to the specific
demands this type of training requires. Having personally worked in a variety of medical settings (inpatient, outpatient, ER & CPEP, ACT teams, day treatment programs), including positions requiring on-call and overnight shifts, I understand the struggle and challenge of being asked to perform your best under challenging circumstances. I have helped many individuals through the process of applying to medical school (including consulting on personal statements and interviews/MMI), during their medical education, into and beyond their residency training.
Eating Disorders may on the surface appear to be about food but in fact are more often disorders of feelings. Disordered eating symptoms and a focus on weight, size and shape will
often serve to help one manage difficult feelings, thoughts and moods. Recovery involves learning to understand, honestly listen to, and
respect one's physical and emotional hunger and nourishment needs. I work with individuals who have Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder and patterns of disordered eating to help restore balance. You can be free from obsessing about weight, food and your body. I can help you reduce your anxiety, stress and out of control feelings around food. Stop looking for a magic pill, diet or exercise regime that promises a new life and together we will work toward lasting change.
Eating Disorders are most effectively treated with a multidisciplinary approach. Typically this involves the coordination of care between a therapist, a nutritionist, and a medical doctor. I have an extensive network of colleagues whom I can provide referrals to should your treatment require additional services.
Children often lack the language necessary to communicate what they feel. It is our job as parents, and my job as a therapist to help put words to a child's inner life. In therapy, a child is allowed to express his experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided process. It is through play therapy that a child's fantasies and the
symbolic meanings of his or her play can be used as a medium for understanding and supporting what a child may not yet be able to say. The birth of a new sibling, a death in the family, a divorce or separation, or the start of a new school can cause emotional conflict for a child. A child's inner life is often manifested in actions, actions which cause parents, caregivers and educators grief. These can include, academic difficulty, behavioral problems, conflict with peers, sleep disturbances, eating & food intake issues, and difficulty around transitions.
Teenagers
seek assistance with issues including increased stress, depression and
anxiety as well as concerns about their academic progress, daily living, high school life or relationships with others. Therapy can be
an opportunity to talk about issues that are of concern with an
objective person who can help to develop effective coping skills in
ways that enable one to be more effective in managing life's
challenges down the road. I provide a private space where whatever is discussed stays in the room between myself and my patient.
Regardless of sexual orientation and whether you are dating, cohabitating, engaged or married, all relationships require work. Young couples today face challenges that are made more complicated by our fast paced society. Choices are vast and the decision to settle into a committed relationship can be daunting. I help young couples develop the communication skills needed for a long term bond. When couples are at different stages in their level of commitment to one another, communication and tolerance are essential. Insecurity and impatience can derail established connections unnecessarily. Couples therapy facilitates the development of empathy for the other, which helps to guide the development of committed and stable relationships. Issues of communication, trust, not feeling respected, or dissatisfaction with sexual intimacy become too challenging and couples need support. At other times it is not an issue between two partners, but pressure from the outside -- crisis at work, parenting, family and in-law issues, becoming stepparents. I can help you find new ways to communicate in a more loving and respectful way, help to resolve conflicts without it always escalating into a fight and learn to solve problems as a team. I want to help you support each other as friends, lovers and partners in life.
Of special consideration is the couple where one partner is diagnosed with an eating disorder. The eating disorder often becomes the "third partner" in an intimate relationship causing a great deal of conflict and limiting the potential for full intimacy. In couples work, I can help the two of you understand how the eating disorder manifests itself in the context of your romantic life, and help educate partners on how to be the most supportive during the process of recovery.