Therapist & A Couch

03/14/2023

There can be a lot of angst going into therapy and a strong desire to do whatever possible to calm any uneasy feelings. In this post, I compile four strategies to make therapy feel more satisfying and to help people get more comfortable with some of the discomfort that is naturally part of the therapy experience.

Weirdly enough, there can be a lot of angst going into therapy and a strong desire to do whatever possible to calm any uneasy feelings. In this post, I compile four strategies to make therapy feel more satisfying and to help people get more comfortable with some of the discomfort that is naturally p

02/20/2023

Now is a good time as any to share a bit about the practice's name. I landed on the name Therapist & A Couch after many scribbles across too many pieces of paper and a handful of random notes stored on my phone; multiple hours of lost sleep; numerous games involving semantics; a disturbing amount of research; and sporadic sources of inspiration.

Sharing a bit about the practice's name is a fitting place to start. I landed on the name Therapist & A Couch after many scribbles across too many pieces of paper and a handful of random notes stored on my phone; multiple hours of lost sleep; numerous games involving semantics; a disturbing

02/20/2023

Hi there!

To make a long but not uncommon story short, I ventured to become a therapist after my own experiences in therapy. What stuck with me from that time wasn't so much the techniques used or the "homework" given but the good that came from simply connecting with another person in a safe, warm environment. Reflecting on my work as a therapist these days, I look to give my clients what someone else once gave me. When we focus on what is happening — human to human — in the therapy space, we can better understand our struggles, our relationship with ourselves, and our relationships with others.

In addition to the therapeutic relationship, I also care about helping clients move beyond the surface in therapy to reach a deeper level of truth that they haven't spoken yet. After working in various settings, I know all too often, therapy can be focused on "quick fixes," advice, coping strategies, toxic positivity, rigid steps, and oversimplifications. This approach to therapy is unfortunate because it glosses over the fact that, at times, life is painful and messy. Also, as much as we might want to avoid the pain and mess, people are much better off trying to embrace it. You might be surprised by what comes from doing so.

In session, clients say that I am emotionally attuned, validating, compassionate, down-to-earth, relatable, and playful. I want to be there with you as you move through what is causing you distress. As we work together, I strive to balance exploring your current symptoms with the connection these symptoms might have to deeper, more profound concerns. I also attempt to incorporate tangible "action items" from time to time to help move our work along and help you make better sense of your experiences.

For those still reading, I'll leave you with this. Irvin Yalom, a famous psychiatrist, once said therapists and clients are fellow travelers — neither are immune to the inevitable darkness of existence, and both are destined to experience the exhilaration of life. I want to help you find that ‘exhilaration of life.’ Starting that journey may be intimidating, but know that I’m here to join you in the process of healing. Let’s start today.