services offered
psychoanalysis psychotherapy
areas of expertise
There are many reasons for considering therapy. Troubling symptoms or life events are major ones. My psychoanalytic training allows me to deeply understand—and help you change—whatever psychological symptoms or concerns you bring in. Over 30 years of practice, I’ve developed expertise in many clinical areas and my interests and experience certainly extend to other psychological challenges my patients face as well. If your difficulties fall into a different category not listed below, please call today so we can discuss how I can help you.
Trauma
Sexual Abuse
Persistent Depression
Creative Blocks
Anxiety and Panic
Bipolar Disorders
Borderline Personality
Cutting and Self-Injury
adults
Change is possible at any age and with any symptoms if you are willing and motivated to begin therapy. The psychoanalytic form of therapy I practice offers detailed focus on your particular symptoms and problems and helps you work out what is at their roots. Psychoanalysis, due to the benefit of time, permits deeper change. For more information about psychoanalytic therapy and psychoanalysis, see my essays, “About My Approach”, “On Therapy”, “On Psychoanalysis”, “What To Look For In A Therapist”, and “Failed Previous Therapies.”
When you contact me, we’ll set up an initial consultation, usually consisting of 1-3 meetings. Following those meetings, I’ll recommend a treatment approach designed to meet your specific, individual needs – including the frequency of sessions I think will be most helpful. For some patients, too much space between sessions stirs up unsettled feelings or causes a “shutting down” effect. Frequent sessions help manage those difficult feelings or provide a structure for opening up feelings that are silenced and hard to find. The frequency of our sessions is a decision we both come to. Once we discuss and agree upon a plan, our work together begins.
OCD
Psychosis
Dissociative Disorders
Hypochondriasis
Eating Problems
Difficulty in Work and Relationships
Divorce
Failed Previous Therapies
teenagers 13 – 17
The teenage years are a period of separation, growing independence, and personal development when teens grapple with many intense feelings – about themselves, who they are and will become, about their parents, and about their relationships. As we all know, adolescence can be difficult. When feelings become symptoms, teen therapy helps them navigate through this complex time. An individualized plan of therapy is decided, and discussed with parents, before we begin.
couples
All intimate relationships have their challenges. Each member of a couple brings their own history, sensitivities, and individual needs to the relationship. Sometimes, there’s a clash—or many clashes. Not infrequently, it’s difficult to understand or make allowances for the other partner’s separate ways and personal inclinations. When conflict arises, there’s often difficulty for couples to earnestly talk, see solutions or work out compromises—especially when the problems aren’t clearly understood.
Couples therapy focuses on sorting out and understanding the nature of these difficulties. By establishing a safe, neutral space for couples to listen to each other and open honest communication between them, we work together to find solutions that meet the couple’s combined and individual needs. In some cases, when resolution is impossible and differences are irreconcilable, therapy can also help couples through the difficult process of separating.
parents and their teenage or adult children
Words and actions between parents and their children can, at times, become angry, strained, or closed down. Hurt and defensiveness usually follow and while misunderstandings are inevitable, they are unwanted and painful. I work with parents and their teenage or adult children to provide a neutral and supportive place to communicate, listen, understand each other’s feelings and needs, and to resolve underlying misunderstandings, hurt, or resentment. The goal of this important work is to build a stronger basis for ongoing, satisfying, and open conversation.