Individual psychotherapy brings awareness to painful feelings and experiences that have burdened you with negative beliefs about yourself, as well as isolation, anxiety and depression.
Yet you have within you the power to create a life with a sense of purpose and meaning. In the process of therapy, you will probably not change anything that is essential about you, but you will become more self-aware. And yet the world can look different, as you take a fresh perspective and open yourself to new possibilities.
When there were Great Expectations
Were you raised with high expectations? Do you have trouble finding your groove in relationships after being conditioned in the past to focus on results and external success?
For a lot of people, especially men, the inner world remains largely unexplored. People I work with can often tap into their potential to transform their emotional lives while building on what has made them successful at work.
When you had to Fend for Yourself
When you were younger, did you face situations like bullying, or having to fend for yourself more than you should? You had to cope somehow, and found your way this far, but you might feel empty, compliant, as a result.
You might not truly let others in, using a false self, tuning out, feeling less connected to the people around you.
Together, we can look at these sensitive parts of you with care, help you to find your way towards more fulfilling relationships where you can feel safer and more assertive.
When you had to Fit In
From our earliest days we are shaped by our parents and the culture we grow up in. The way we were taught and the books we read often reflected a bias framing the roles of men and women.
Women are traditionally supposed to take on auxiliary roles and emotional caretakers, while men are supposed to pursue demanding leadership roles. When you don’t fit these categories, you can feel you’re falling short, feel ashamed. Conversely, you may feel like an imposter.
I will help you take a close look at the expectations and assumptions you carry around, so that you can become the author of your own life.
Getting in Touch
Psychotherapy can help you get to know yourself more deeply so that you can grow and develop your potential. I often start by working with people on the most pressing issues that they bring in, and hold in mind the needs they may have for personal growth.
Through the process of therapy you can learn to build resilience and confidence, taking the power away from older patterns of self-doubt and fear.
The people I have worked often come to see themselves and their relationships in new ways. They develop a more stable sense of inner purpose, an expanded capacity for feeling, and a greater ability to connect with others. This can add up to a life that is more fulfilling, a life worth living.
If it seems like my approach might work for you, schedule an initial phone call or call me at 415-598-8956.