I believe that we all have a natural, inherent drive toward health and physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. The ‘work’ of therapy is to bring forward the instinct toward healing by developing a safe therapeutic relationship that nurtures the true self. We each have unique experiences that all too often have been discounted or even abused, and we carry the pain of those wounds into our relationships with others and most significantly, with ourselves. Developing self-compassion gives rise to the blossoming of hopes and desires that were subsumed by the dysfunction in which we were raised or the traumas we survived. Therapy is the process of regaining the original fundamental person that is within each of us, even though the path there is sometimes challenging. My goal with each client is to become their ally and provide a setting that will allow the conditions for healing to take place. I believe that is there for all of us, regardless of our circumstances.
About Me – I’m a 68-year-old gay man and a retired Episcopal priest who ‘failed’ retirement! The sedate life wasn’t for me, so I’ve taken on a new career as a therapist, working primarily with people who are recovering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I utilize an integrated approach from various therapeutic modalities including EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Narrative Therapy among others. However, the primary modality I employ is building a stable and safe environment for people to realize their true self and potential. I’m especially interested in working with complex childhood traumas and male sexual abuse survivors, though my work isn’t limited to any one specific area. I work with a clinical supervisor to maintain high professional standards as well as my own self-care. I have completed basic and advanced training in EMDR, and I work with a consultant through the EMDR Institute in Watsonville, CA, and the EMDR International Association.