Welcome to True
Welcome to my practice!
I am a Counseling Psychologist who provides therapy to adults - individuals and couples. My clients are often high-achieving and functional-appearing, but struggling with anxiety, insecurity, and loneliness on the inside. As a consequence, they frequently struggle with feelings of disconnection that may lead to conflict or distance and dissatisfaction in their most important relationships. Helping my clients find true alignment with their authentic selves and strong, loving bonds with their partners are the central goals of my work.
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Q & A
What kind of clinical experience do you have?
I graduated with my PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Utah in 2005.
Early in my career I focused on helping people recover from eating disorders. This taught me to pay close attention to the connection between physical and mental health. I've also always enjoyed treating anxiety disorders and have specialized in treating adults with anxiety for the past 15 years. In 2013 I began practicing in integrated behavioral health settings (usually in primary care) where I learned the art of tuning in to what a client most needed and helping them make the necessary changes to get them back to themselves as quickly as possible. What I found the most fascinating when I was working in medical settings was how much pain and insecurity in relationships formed the basis of peoples' suffering, and how much that contributes to overall health and well-being. That is what compelled me to build True Counseling and Consulting Services.
What are you like as a therapist?
My clients tell me that I am warm, genuine, positive, and able to get to the heart of the issue extremely quickly. I frequently hear clients comment that they understand themselves better after a single session with me than they have after years of supportive counseling elsewhere. I'd like to stress that I see it as my job to help you make changes, and that means pointing out your blocks and avoidance strategies. When what has been invisible to you becomes visible, you have the ability to make different choices. It is my responsibility and privilege to honor you with the opportunity to make those choices.
What kind of therapy do you practice?
The therapies I use are based in extensive research (evidence-based) and have been shown to be effective at helping people make the meaningful changes that they most want from their therapy experience. With individual clients I primarily practice Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a lot of Interpersonal Therapy mixed in to address the strong human pull that we all feel toward relationships. In addition, some anxiety disorders are best treated with specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions. With couples, I focus on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which is an extremely powerful therapy that teaches partners how to find safety and connection in one another by harnessing the innate power of attachment. You can read more about these approaches under the Services tab. Basically, I use the therapies that research has shown to work!
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I'm interested in leadership consulting. What is your approach to working with leaders?
Leadership is about being in service to those you lead. A leader is best able to be of service if they understand the needs and motivations of their team members. My approach to leadership consulting is to help leaders understand how their personal and professional variables shape their leadership behavior patterns. This is not something that is easily accomplished with a personality profile or a Leadership Style quiz. This is a deep understanding of your strengths and vulnerabilities and how those are demonstrated to team members. Armed with this knowledge and strategies for managing unconscious reactivity and processes, you will be able to flexibly move with your teams to create the outcomes you are looking for, rather than trying to work against team members' expressed and unexpressed needs.
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