FAQ

Relational therapy focuses on the ways we experience ourselves and others within relationships. In our work together, the therapeutic relationship becomes a space where we can slow down, notice patterns, and explore how you relate to yourself and the people in your life. My approach is grounded in existential-humanistic psychology, which means I am interested not only in reducing symptoms, but also in understanding your experience, your relationships, your values, and the meaning you make of your life.

Because our relationship is part of the work, we may pause to check in with how we are doing together. I might ask, “How are we doing today?” or “What is your experience of how we are working together?” We can explore anything that feels unresolved or unsaid, and what these moments may reveal about patterns that emerge in other relationships. I see therapy as a collaborative process where the relationship itself becomes part of the exploration—a place to develop greater awareness, try something new, and discover what it means to relate in ways that feel more authentic and meaningful.

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses focused attention, increased awareness, and guided experiential work to help you connect with your thoughts, emotions, bodily experiences, and inner resources in a different way. Contrary to common misconceptions, hypnosis does not mean giving up control or being made to do something against your will. My approach to hypnotherapy is collaborative and relational, and I integrate it with mindfulness and other therapeutic approaches when it feels appropriate for the work we are doing together. Hypnotherapy can be particularly helpful for developing greater self-awareness, working with anxiety and fear, changing patterns that no longer serve you, removing blocks that are keeping you stuck, and deepening the connection between mind and body.

I work with adults throughout California who are experiencing anxiety, fear, uncertainty, relationship concerns, life transitions, feeling stuck, or a sense of disconnection from themselves or others. You do not need to arrive with a clear diagnosis or a perfectly defined goal for therapy. Sometimes you simply know that something does not feel right, that a familiar way of living no longer fits, or that you want to better understand yourself and what is happening in your life.

Sometimes, simply knowing that you want to begin is enough. You do not need to know exactly what we will explore or discuss before we begin. In fact, allowing space for the unknown can be a meaningful part of the process. Together, we can slow down, become curious about what emerges, and allow greater clarity and understanding to develop over time.

Yes. You do not have to arrive in therapy knowing exactly what you want to change—or even knowing that you want to change. Sometimes part of the work is exploring the uncertainty itself: What is it like to feel unsure, afraid, or conflicted about change? What might you be protecting, holding onto, or not yet ready to let go of?

Working relationally gives us an opportunity to meet you where you are in the here and now, without needing to know exactly where we need to go next. Together, we can become curious about what is happening between us and within you, allowing greater understanding to emerge. From there, we can explore what feels important to you and what, if anything, you want to do differently.

I offer a brief consultation to give us an opportunity to talk about what brings you to therapy, what you are looking for, and any questions you may have about working together. It also gives me a chance to learn a little about what you are experiencing and determine whether my approach may be appropriate for your needs. Because I practice relationally, I believe the beginning of therapy matters. A consultation provides a chance to begin that conversation before scheduling a first session and to make sure the practical details of working together are clear.