In the first couple of sessions, I’ll ask a lot of background questions so that I get a good grounding in who you are, your history and what’s bringing you to counseling. We’ll also identify your goals for our work together and what methods you feel comfortable with. Based on that, we’ll use a combination of talking, somatic work (what’s going on in your body) and experiential methods (visualizations, parts work), depending on your needs.

You set the pace and you tell me what feels right and what doesn’t—though you will be uncomfortable at times. Counseling is a partnership: I can provide guidance and new ways of looking at things, but you do the healing work. We will also be guided by the wisdom you already hold—some of which you may be surprised to discover.

The only things I ask of you are to commit to the process and attend scheduled sessions, be willing to try new and difficult things, and to be honest with me and yourself. That also means that you bring your full self to counseling: all your different identities, the roles you play, the ways you experience life. I promise to honor them and treat them with care.