University Mental Health

Our sessions are traditional talk therapy, so I like to start by checking in and asking what’s been on your mind and what feels most important to focus on that day. Through our conversation, we’ll start to connect the dots, explore internal tensions, recognize patterns and understand why the past is playing a role in your present. When it’s helpful, we might introduce skills or strategies to help you regulate tough emotions, manage stressful situations, or respond more effectively in interpersonal dynamics.

You do not need to be at rock bottom or have one specific problem to start therapy. In fact, beginning when you are not in crisis can be invaluable to laying a sturdy therapeutic foundation for when adversity inevitably shows up. Even if nothing is acutely wrong, or maybe you’re trying to convince yourself that things are fine, or you’re fed up with feeling chronically burned out, this is where therapy can help. It can help you understand yourself better, change patterns that are no longer serving you, and give you a place to slow down and check in with yourself, even when you cannot point to one specific problem.

Patients always ask this question, and I empathize with your frustration that I cannot give you a definitive answer. The reason why the length of therapy varies is because therapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Our interventions are customized for each individual and evolve as your needs, goals, and circumstances change. That said, we recognize that the goal of therapy is to take what you learn as quickly as possible and bring it into your life, so you can live a vibrant life of purpose and meaning outside the treatment room.

Our therapy style is a combination of psychodynamic psychotherapy, which is traditional talk therapy, mixed with CBT and DBT skills. We find this hybrid is the most effective combination, because it allows you to have tools in your toolbox to address symptoms in the moment, while at the same time, the talk therapy can help you heal from the inside out.

I believe therapy can make a real difference when you’re willing to be curious about yourself and open to doing the work. The goal is not just to feel better in the treatment room, but to take what you learn into your everyday life so you can respond differently, feel more grounded, and create a life that feels rich with purpose and meaning.

All of our brilliant therapists share the values that guide our practice. They are trained in evidence-based approaches and bring a commitment to understanding the whole person, not just the problem that brings you into therapy. Each clinician brings their own clinical perspective and lived experience to the work, along with ongoing training, supervision, and a commitment to continuing to grow as therapists.

We also believe that finding the right therapist matters. Our clinicians are part of a practice where we can collaborate, consult with one another, and thoughtfully match you with someone whose experience and approach fit your needs. You’re not just getting a name from a directory. You’re investing in a thoughtful, personalized therapeutic experience with a team that cares deeply about the quality of the work.

We are a great fit for those who are high-functioning in most areas of life, but still feeling overwhelmed, burned out, anxious and depressed. If you’re trapped in cycles of perfectionism, compulsive productivity, or if you feel like you’re the only one who can do it right, you’re in the right place.

We’re probably not the best fit if you’re looking for a therapist who simply agrees with everything you say, or a life coach who is going to tell you how to live your life. We listen, get curious with you, and when it’s helpful, we’ll challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors.

Not every therapist is the right fit for every patient, and not every patient is right for every form of therapy. Sometimes not clicking with a therapist in the beginning can actually be a sign that the treatment is going well, because therapy can bring up feelings, patterns, or dynamics that are important to explore rather than avoid. If there are ruptures, we consider that a valuable part of the work too, because learning how to talk about what feels uncomfortable, repair what feels off, and build trust is part of what therapy is about. If there is a mismatch and a different clinician would be a better fit, then we will be honest about that and help you find the right person.

If therapy hasn’t helped in the past, that doesn’t mean therapy can’t work for you. The therapist, approach, timing, or relationship may not have been the right fit, and sometimes it takes finding the right combination to make the work feel meaningful and useful.

Online therapy can feel surprisingly personal because we’re meeting you in your own environment, where you’re often more comfortable and able to bring your real life into the room. I always consider it a privilege to be invited into your home and get to experience the vulnerable spaces of your life, sometimes meeting the important players along the way, like your kids or your pets. For some people, that added glimpse into their world can make the work feel even more connected and real.