Relational Therapy

I specialize in relational therapy, focusing on how relationships—past and present—shape emotional well-being. I help clients explore their patterns of connection, uncover unmet needs, and foster healthier, more fulfilling relationships. My approach emphasizes the therapeutic relationship itself as a model for building trust, understanding, and self-compassion, guiding clients toward deeper healing and meaningful personal growth.

I believe (and studies show) that therapy is mainly about the relationship you have with your therapist. My main goal is to build a solid foundation with you, and move at your pace. Rushing into deep wounds before you are ready and feel safe will make things feel icky and messy.

It is hard to feel content and at peace when there is conflict or strife in your intimate relationship(s). I can help you to reduce conflict, improve communication, and enhance connection. I am experienced in working with open relationships, consensual non-monogamy, and polyamory. As a certified sex therapist, I can help with concerns such as desire discrepancy, sexual dysfunction, and navigating kink / BDSM.

I see the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for the work of therapy. I strive to engage compassionately and authentically, and to enter into a collaborative space with the client that is based on building trust, openness, and curiosity. I invite clients to provide me with feedback about their experiences in our time together, as these reactions can often help us strengthen our relationship as well as build insight into patterns a client may be experiencing in the rest of their life.

As a Marriage, Couple and Family Therapist, I believe relationships are central to our experience of the world. We take into consideration the effects on each person's life of differences in power or equality as well as the impact of social issues such as class, race, gender, and culture. Relational therapy is collaborative and supportive.

We encourage you to view the therapeutic space as your “relational home,” where your experiences will be honored and held by our empathetic team of clinicians. Our goal is to collaborate to help you make meaning of your story, ultimately searching for opportunities for relief and personal growth. By embracing what happens in the therapeutic relationship, valuable information is gained and is helpful in our understanding of you and your opportunities for growth and healing.

As a marriage and family therapist, my training has been focused in a systemic and relational foundation. I have training in relational therapy with individuals, couples therapy, and family therapy.

Relational therapists believe that those who have been harmed within the context of a relationship must be healed withing the context of a relationship. The therapeutic relationship is built upon mutuality, authenticity, and collaboration. The therapist recognizes the power that they do hold as the "expert" within the relationship and is intentional about creating a power-with dynamic, where the client's agency and self-determination is fostered and encouraged.

For many of us, problems with our partners can be the most frustrating issues we have to face, leaving us feeling “crazy,” overwhelmed, and miserable. We start our relationships feeling hopeful, buoyant, and exhilarated, believing we have found our “soul mate”. All too often, this dream fades within years, and we do one of two things: we jump from one relationship to another, blaming problems on our partners; or we stay in a miserable union, hurting each other and/or stagnating.

I believe our interactions and relationships with others affect our emotional well-being and influence our relationship with ourselves. Part of our work will include examining how you engage with others to gain insight into patterns of relating that may be holding you back from the authentic connections that you long for.

My therapy is oriented toward thinking about relationships.

Relational Therapy (RT) is an approach rooted in Psychodynamic Therapy. Psychodynamic therapy puts emphases on the psychological cause of emotional pain. Self-reflection and self-examination are its major focus. RT asserts the relationship is in fact what is needed for true reflection, examination, and ultimately change. Major tenants of RT are the therapist's stance, authenticity, presence, reflection, and engagement.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist, most of my training has been in working with couples and individuals on relational concerns. When I am meeting with a couple or an individual, I am always thinking about emotional wellness within the context of the relationships. I have training in Gottman Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, ACT Therapy for Couples, working with open relationships and addressing sexual concerns in relationship therapy

since i believe the essence of trauma contains profound experiences of disconnection, i also believe in the profound necessity of connection, aka relationship. not only interpersonal relationships, but also cultural and systemic relationships. plus, research shows that the primary predictor of "successful" therapy is the relationship between counselor and client. i take a relational stance so that i honor not only the therapeutic relationship but also the entire web of a client's relationships.

As a relationally-trained therapist, I specialize in working with clients by using a systemic perspective. This means that we will explore a client’s relationship to themselves, to others, and to society as a whole.

As a Marriage and Family Therapist I am always steering couples and individuals towards relational health. Moving towards relational health can be challenging. Often it requires stronger boundaries which upsets the dynamics families and couples are used to. However, the rewards of relational health are living a more purpose, authenticity, and joy.

I am relational and systemic oriented, as my work centers around people and their experiences in relation to themselves, others, systems, and the world.

While my degree is in Couple and Family Therapy, I consider myself to be a relational therapist, meaning that I understand that many individuals are in consensually non-monogamous relationships. I work with couples, triads, and relationship configurations of any size. With individuals, I still practice from a systemic, relational lens, understanding that no-one exists in a vacuum.