Relationship-Centered
Psychotherapy
If you are struggling in your relational life, you are not alone.
Human beings are complex and fragile creatures,
and when two or more dynamic beings come together,
beauty and brokenness ensue.
While struggles in relationships can be painful and frustrating, it is through our most difficult relationships that we come to know the deepest parts of ourselves. And beautifully, through knowing ourselves, we can in turn learn how to have healthy and meaningful relationships!
“I would like to thank the people who’ve brought me those dark moments, when I felt most wounded, betrayed. You have been my greatest teachers.” ― Oprah Winfrey
While you may be coming to me to resolve an external issue–a difficult relationship in your life–you will find that in working with me, we will tackle the issue from the inside out.
My philosophy is that issues on the surface will not change unless we truly get to the root of the problem. This approach to therapy is called insight oriented therapy.
Insight oriented therapy will not only provide you with insight on your situation, but it will also provide a deeper understanding of yourself. While this can be a longer, slower, and often times more vulnerable process, this is the most effective means of lasting change.
I use a blend of the following insight-oriented therapy models to fit the needs of my clients:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy seeks to understand why we do what we do and how our past experiences shape who we are. It seeks to uncover what is buried in our unconscious mind.
Often times, women of color have to cut themselves off from social and emotional aspects of their identities in order to compete and survive in a “man’s world.” Psychodynamic work helps women to explore hidden, unconscious aspects of themselves they may have repressed or simply lost touch with. In doing this, they can discover what their needs are, how they feel toward themselves and others, and ultimately how to live an intentional, rather than reactionary, life.
Relational Therapy
Relational Therapy is founded on the belief that social relationships play a crucial role in emotional wellbeing. It seeks to develop relational awareness. How do we relate to others? What roles do we naturally fall into? How do we set (or not set) boundaries? In what ways do we unconsciously push others away? In relational therapy, we identify patterns in your relationships, identify your relational needs, and discover how you can authentically connect with others.
A key component of relational therapy is the relational dynamic between the therapist and the client. It uses the client-therapist relationship as a way to understand other relationship dynamics, and it serves as a model for a secure and healthy relationship. At some points in our work, we may speak directly about our relationship to learn about how you relate and gain insight into how the therapeutic relationship informs your relationships with others.
Feminist Therapy
Feminist Therapy understands clients in the context of how systems of power and oppression impact individuals both internally and externally. Due to gender and racial prejudice, women of color have to work tirelessly to prove their competence, endure opposition, and make their voices heard. I use feminist therapy to empower my clients and help them understand how disempowering social forces impact their emotional and social lives.
Feminist therapy views the therapist and client as equal collaborators on the client’s healing journey. While you may be coming to me because you view me as the “expert” in psychology or psychotherapy, I believe that you are the ultimate expert in yourself, your experiences, your feelings, and your values. As such, I believe that the most effective therapy is rooted in collaboration, equity, and respect.
Existential Therapy
Existential therapy focuses on identifying meaning based on one’s subjective perspective. It also works to identify and understanding the defense mechanisms one employs to deal with existential anxiety.
I work with existentially oriented clients to examine their reactions to the inevitabilities of human existence: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. Through self reflection, philosophical exploration, and expansion of awareness and acceptance of the human condition, my clients are able to get in touch with their most important values and find clarity on their purpose in life.
“The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which must also make you lonely.” – Lorraine Hansberry
Not sure if therapy is right for you?
Contact me
if you have any questions about me or my therapeutic work. I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation to answer any questions and figure out if we would work well together to address your interpersonal struggles.