Areas of expertise

My 13 years of clinical practice have focused on anxiety disorders, OCD, relationship issues, body image concerns, disordered eating, and trauma. Within that work I have also supported clients overcome issues with self-worth, depression, perfectionism, abuse,  stress management, work-life balance, life transitions. I also have a special interest and expertise in working with certain populations including LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as actors, filmmakers, and other creatives. See below for more details.

Anxiety 

Anxiety is something we all deal with, but shouldn’t feel completely controlled by. Whether it’s a fear of failure, worries about the future, social anxiety, or some other phobia – let'fs find the root cause and practical steps to help you feel more confident and in control.

Relationship Issues

Supporting clients to explore their relationship with others is something I always feel excited to tackle. Whether it's working on feeling less triggered by a parent, or improving communication with a partner(s), I'm ready to help you undercover what's feeding into the dynamic and help you figure out a new path. 

Obessive Compulsive Disorder

​Perhaps one of the most misunderstood  mental health concerns is obsessive compulsive disorder. In the media OCD is often portrayed as obsessions around cleanliness, or following certain counting patterns like checking the to make sure the stove is off 3 times. In reality OCD can encompass a broad range of obsessive rituals and compulsive behaviors as well as mental engagement with related worries. Common obsessive rituals may include repeating an action, like counting or wearing a ring in order to prevent something "bad" from happening to oneself or others. It could also involve avoiding things like a balcony or certain people after experiencing violent intrusive thoughts involving that place or person.  Unfortunately people with OCD often mistakenly conclude these thoughts to be something meaningful – even though it’s just a random thought that means nothing that anyone can have.  Fortunately there are proven strategies we can help you develop to effectively disengage from obsessive patterns and intrusive thoughts, so that you can get back to living your life.

Body Image & Eating Disorders

Body image concerns and eating disorders don’t discriminate. In the past we used to think of body image issues and eating disorders as an issue mainly affect straight white woman. What we know now is that these issues can impact anyone regarding of gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity. We live in a world now where social media, the fitness industry, and pop culture constantly push their own agendas and ideals of what it means to be desirable, attractive, healthy, and fit. I have a special interest and training in supporting clients to identify and disrupt the beliefs and patterns of behavior that keep a negative relationship with one's body and disordered eating alive. 

Admitting one needs to work on these issues is the first start. Depending on the nature or severity of the concern one can expect to work with me anywhere from once or twice a week. My services may not be appropriate with clients who are severely underweight and in need of in-patient care, however I'm happy to provide referrals to other services if this is the case.

Actors, Filmmakers, and Creatives

​Since childhood I have had an immense appreciation for actors and storytellers. Studying drama and film, while participating in theatre during high school was a great source of confidence as well turbulence. The anxiety I felt when I got in my head felt so overwhelming at times I would come close to calling in sick whenever I had to perform. I was constantly comparing myself to others and bringing myself down by thinking ‘I should be where they’re at!.” Luckily therapy helped me break the cycle of negative self-talk and avoidance, which is the reason why I’m so passionate about working actors, filmmakers, and creatives. I believe once we learn to tame our inner critic, steady our mind into the present, and relate to ourselves with kindness and respect, our talents have the ability to flow at their greatest potential. 

LGBTQ+ Related Concerns And Mental Health

​To be apart of the LGBTQ+ community is to know struggle. At some point in life our lives we’ve faced it, whether it’s coming to terms with who we are, navigating intimate or family relationships, or quite frankly living in a world that doesn’t always think or want to make room for us. I know this can be especially challenging for BIPOC folks, who can exclusion and discrimination within their own community but also from the LGBTQ+ community itself. Some folks have even faced trauma and deep psychological pain stemming from violence, psychological abuse, and/or rejection. My skills and lived experience as a gay man and unrelenting advocate for other queer people, including BIPOC folks, are here to support you as you find and forge your path forward.