My Approaches

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

In challenging times, it’s easy to react to ourselves or others in ways we’re not proud of. Emotional turmoil affects our ability to show up for the important people in our lives, including ourselves.

But there’s good news: There are ways to conceptualize how these experiences affect us and how we can better respond in the future. This is where science comes in!

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a process for figuring out why a behavior is happening and trying different things to change it. We use the same scientific method you used for your science fair projects in middle school. You identify a “problem,” collect data around it, try something to make a change, and then see if it works by monitoring your progress. Consider it a process rather than a rigid, specific practice.

ABA is an evidence-based practice focusing on behavior change to improve your life. It can be an outward behavior or target your thoughts, feelings, or emotions.

The goal is to change a specific behavior so that you can live a better life!

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

We all experience ups and downs as we navigate this journey called life. No one makes it through life unscathed.

What’s important is how we bounce back after adversity. That’s what will have an impact on the rest of your life. So, how do you respond to adversity?

As always, the answer is: It depends! It depends on many things, BUT there is the common, underlying concept of psychological flexibility.

Psychological flexibility is the ability to be here, in this moment, open and aware of all the good and bad, without judgment or trying to change it. It’s accepting there will be good and bad times and knowing that’s part of life. It’s being able to ground yourself, stay present, and commit to responding with control and in ways that align with what is most important to you. It’s wrangling what our brains tell us by leaning into what’s helpful… and letting the unhelpful things pass us by.

When you’re psychologically IN-flexible, it’s hard to navigate challenging experiences in your life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based practice that increases psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility comprises six core processes you’ll learn about and explore deeply; each contributes to how you respond to adversity.

You’ll learn strategies to help you become more psychologically flexible in all areas and be empowered to apply them in your life.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

Do you often feel like “I’m the problem!”?

Do you think things to yourself like, “What’s wrong with me?”

Do you ever feel like “I’m the only one with these problems”?

That’s because it’s easier to blame someone (you) rather than something, and we often see the comfort of a diagnosis – an “answer” to our problems.

But trauma-informed therapy takes a different approach. We shift from the mindset of “there’s something wrong with you” to “there’s something wrong in your environment.” We can all see how someone’s history and experiences shape and influence who they become and how they behave. With this approach, we’ll look at your unique circumstances and needs, prioritizing your preferences, autonomy, and choices.

Unfortunately, trauma is all too common these days. But by looking at your unique experience, we can change your life so that you’re no longer haunted by it.

And I’ll be there to guide you… every step of the way.