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| I endorse an eclectic developmental approach to therapy. This means that I draw from a number of therapeutic models, with a basic belief that both the client's temperament and childhood experiences have shaped who she or he is as an adult. |
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| My approach is founded largely on the Internal Family Systems model developed by Richard Schwartz. Based on this model, I believe that you, like all other individuals, have a core Self (related to your inborn temperament) that you can learn to access, leading to greater balance and "Self-leadership." However, you have parts of yourself (that developed to help you cope with unique circumstances in your childhood) that prevent you from Self-leadership on a day-to-day and moment-to-moment basis. Although these parts arose to help you manage and survive real-life circumstances, they may be behaving in counterproductive ways in your adulthood. |
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| We all inevitably encounter conflicts among our parts; one part may seek out individuals we can take care of, while another part resents being the caregiver. One part may deeply desire emotional intimacy, while another part sabotages our relationships out of fear of being hurt. |
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| I help clients learn how to identify their parts and communicate with them. Much like family therapy, we work with your parts to reduce conflict among them and help them to compromise and ultimately to collaborate. Gradually, your parts' behaviors become less extreme and your Self emerges as a leader. You feel more balanced and in control. Also, you have a deeper understanding of how interactions between your parts and those of your partner, other loved ones, and coworkers create conflict. Because you are no longer locked into your old, habitual ways of responding to the world, you are free to grow. |
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