Approach
Using an integration of approaches, including psychodynamic and interpersonal therapy among others, I help patients improve their physical and psychological health and well-being while working with them to understand and work through underlying sources of pain, distress, and emotions that interfere with change.
Patients are encouraged to introspect, to seek greater awareness and understanding of the unconscious roots of their struggles, and to develop new responses to challenges. Achieving greater knowledge of the self often frees us up to choose differently. People frequently feel stuck or caught in repetitious relationship patterns. Or they know they need to change but can’t seem to make the changes they believe they should make. Psychotherapy helps to uncover hidden issues, often stemming from foundational past experiences. As people Improve their self-understanding, they’re better able to change. Often the work of therapy centers on internal barriers and resistances to change that are removed when understood. Together, we work to overcome barriers to change by exploring and heightening awareness of unconscious causes of a patient’s difficulties.
On The Therapy Relationship
The quality of the relationship between you and your therapist is highly important. The extent to which you feel understood, respected, cared for, and appropriately challenged by your therapist increases the likelihood you’ll achieve positive results in therapy. Psychotherapy is most effective when there’s a good fit between you and your therapist. A good fit ensures good collaboration. Our ability to collaborate together will enhance the success of your therapy.
Research indicates that about one-third of the outcomes in therapy are attributable to the quality of the therapeutic relationship.
On Motivation
Those who are actively engaged both in and outside of the therapy office will have a better therapy experience. Motivated and active patients are more likely to achieve positive outcomes. Those willing to try practicing new, healthier behaviors will catalyze the process of therapy.
On My Expertise
And, of course, my ability to be effective and skilled in my approach to you also plays an important role. As a psychologist with extensive training in psychotherapy and close to 25 years of education and practice experience, and as a psychologist who places tremendous value on forging strong and caring relationships with her patients, the majority of my patients experience positive outcomes in their work with me.
On Health, Mind and Body
My patients are very familiar with me discussing what it means to be “healthy”. Being healthy encompasses both physical and psychological variables. Health is important to longevity, well-being, one’s ability to thrive personally interpersonally and professionally. Helping patients improve both their mental and physical selves is an important part of my approach to working with people. It’s highly common for patients seeking therapy to struggle with unhealthy behaviors such as being underactive, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor sleep hygiene. We will address physical as well as psychological habits that might contribute to your difficulties.
Expertise
- Career burnout among physicians, attorneys, and other professional groups
- Health and fertility issues
- Trauma
- Grief
- Divorce and marital/relationship problems
- Substance abuse
- Anxiety and depression
- Life adjustments such as starting college, graduation, career changes, and retirement.
Credentials
- Private Practice for 20 years
- Clinical Faculty, LSUHSC Department of Psychiatry 2004-present
- Licensed Psychologist in Louisiana
- Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Auburn University
- Psychologist, Loyola University 1998-2007
- Internship/residency, University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center 1997-1998
- B.A., Tulane University
Psychotherapy can lead to:
- Emotional growth and evolution
- Better relationship with yourself and with others
- Healthy and useful self-understanding
- Healthier decision making
- Greater resilience
- Improved physical health and psychological wellness
- Greater life satisfaction
