PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY:

One of my strengths is my ability to empathically connect with people in order to create a safe, supportive atmosphere for healing. I use a collaborative, respectful approach to promote autonomy, while using my in-depth, insight oriented psychoanalytic training to organize my thinking and interventions. I help clients in their quest for self-discovery and utilize their inner resources for change.

PRACTICE EMPHASIS:

My practice is comprised mainly of individual adults and couples and is representative of the multicultural environment of Los Angeles. Many of the people I see come from the creative arts, especially those in the music and film industry. The ages of my clients range from young adults to seniors. I enjoy working with a variety of people and issues such as relationship problems, depression, grief, anxiety, employment difficulties, and creative blocks. I also work well with those struggling with life transitions, such as loss, divorce, career change, birth of a child, parenting problems, empty nest, impact of a serious illness, and retirement.

The length of therapy depends greatly on the client's issues and the client's goals. I work successfully with people who see me for three to ten sessions, as well as with those who wish long-term intensive therapy or psychoanalysis. Although the majority of my practice is private-pay (or private insurance), a small number come from Managed Care. (See "Financial Information.") I discuss with my clients the reality of what can be accomplished in a limited time frame, especially when defined by their HMO.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION:

My theoretical orientation is grounded in contemporary psychoanalytic thinking incorporating Object Relations, Ego psychology, Relational theory, Intersubjectivity and current research in clinical neuroscience including attachment theory.

Although life challenges us with stresses and problems throughout our life-cycle, the way we respond to those challenges often is dependent on who we are and how we perceive our situation. Understanding how we are organized internally gives us the opportunity to not only know ourselves better , but to create meaningful change according to our personal values.

I believe that looking at our experiences in our family of origin and in our other significant attachment relationships, is crucial in coming to understand why we do the things we do and how we came to be who we are. Therapy is not about blaming others for our life circumstances! It is about understanding how we responded to significant events in our lives and how those responses continue to shape our decisions and reactions now! Gaining insight into these areas not only helps us make sense out of our thoughts, feelings and behaviors, but, frees us to choose who we want to become and what we want to do differently. Understanding the impacts of certain life experiences, such as trauma, loss, unresolved grief, difficult environmental stressors or natural shifts in the life-cycle, also help us put our experience of life in perspective.

My overall goal is to help people feel more resilient and empowered to create the kind of life and relationships they want for themselves. In addition to insight oriented theories, Humanistic, Family Systems and Post-Modern ideas have influenced my view of therapy and the human condition. I use a strong collaborative approach and help people access their inner intelligence and creativity.