The relational lens: how we are connected to others and the world around us

The way we view ourselves, the patterns we find ourselves in, are all influenced by our relationship to our environment, our past, and the people closest to us. By looking at challenges through this relational and systemic lens, we can begin to raise awareness of how we get into common stuck points. We explore not just what is happening inside, how internal processes may be having unintended consequences in your career, social life, and sense of self, but also how the outside world affects us. While not everything in our environment is under our control, raising our awareness of these processes and relationships can shift us into new ways of relating and adapting to ourselves and others.

Common mental health challenges

• Burnout and irritability: moving from surviving to feeling more actively engaged

• Feeling Scatterbrained or Stuck Spiraling:

• The weight of the past: feeling held back by old stories or struggling to understand yourself and your present circumstances

• Relational patterns: people pleasing, loneliness, conflict, or feeling you are never quite enough to others. This may manifest with family, significant others, or relationships at work, navigating tricky relationships with bosses, peers, or those you manage.

• Internal fog: navigating indecisiveness.

Depth-oriented treatment approaches

I utilize evidence-based, attachment-focused modalities grounded in the science of human development and resilience. Most of us, often without realizing it, carry internal blueprints that helped us adapt to our early environments. While these maps were once vital for our survival, they can lead to frustration when we encounter others with different blueprints or realize ours is missing tools we need today. These internal models can be understood and updated, allowing for a more open and secure way of functioning in the world.

Psychodynamic and Relational Therapy

We learn how to operate in the world by our environment and early experiences. Taking this into account will help us raise awareness of the patterns that shape you and how we can utilize the resources we have to make positive change.

Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT)

To “mentalize” is to understand our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, that that of others. This treatment helps us look at how we get stuck, especially in moments of stress. This can help create clarity in our situation so we can make more informed and in-tune changes.

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFT is designed to help us build a more secure connection to ourselves. It works by helping us understand our (sometimes conflicting) emotions and needs with greater clarity.

Start your Journey here in Tempe, or telehealth across Arizona

Whether you’re looking for in-person counseling in Tempe or the Phoenix metro area, or the convenience of telehealth, I am here to support you on your journey forward.