"A therapist’s strength lies in an ability to tailor his or her approach to the needs of each patient"

My Philosophy

Some people need help with specific problems (e.g., a fear of heights or a tendency to procrastinate), while others look for a broader change. It could be that a more focused problem is successfully addressed in just a few sessions. A deeper change, on the other hand, may only be achieved through systematic reflection and introspection, in a concerted effort to gain insight into one’s unconscious inner philosophy which, needless to say, takes a while. The length and depth of treatment, therefore, depend entirely on the severity of the symptoms or the individual goals of each patient. I try to recognize these distinctions and be flexible in my work.

With patients who suffer from such problems as acute anxiety, panic, or a phobia, I may use a combination of mindfulness practices (and mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy) and EMDR. To help those whose problems are broader in nature or affect more areas of their daily life, I might draw on insight-oriented and/or existential approaches to therapy. Often I find that successful therapy draws on elements of different theoretical frameworks and tools. Regardless of the issues we work on, however, I encourage all my patients to make meditation an essential part of their lives and share what I know about various meditation techniques. Ultimately, meditation is one of the best ways to overcome not just anxiety or depression, but to cultivate wholeness in both body and mind. While I love working with my patients, my goal is to help make me unnecessary for them, and meditation is one of the tools that can help them achieve this independence.