understanding yourself and creating relationships that feel meaningful, safe, and connected
Relationships can be meaningful, joyful, and a real source of connection. They can also stir up insecurity and fears that we may have trouble navigating. Maybe you keep falling into familiar patterns, or you wonder why certain situations set off the same emotional reactions every time. Or maybe it’s hard to say what you need out loud.
Navigating the world of dating can also be complex, from figuring out what you want and what feels right, to staying grounded while you get to know someone new.
How we show up in relationships is shaped by what we’ve lived through (in our families of origin, and in relationships of all kinds). Those experiences taught us about safety and vulnerability, and they still shape how we show up today. In therapy, I’ll help you look at where these patterns come from, and we can find new ways of showing up for yourself.
navigating dating & relationships as an individual
Maybe you want closeness without losing your sense of self, or you want to trust your own judgment when you’re dating. You might be asking yourself, “Am I asking for too much?” or “Why do I keep falling into the same dynamics?”
Whether you want to get clearer on the kind of relationships you’re looking for, you’re working through a breakup, you want to feel more comfortable saying what you need and being yourself, or you’re trying to break old cycles, I can offer a space to make sense of the relationships in your life.
how we can work together:
unpack what’s underneath: we’ll explore not just what’s happening on the surface, but the feelings, fears, and needs underneath your reactions
understand your relational roots: we’ll look at how your past experiences influence how you communicate, handle hurt, and navigate closeness today
cultivate self-trust: I’ll help you recognize your needs and trust yourself to make choices that feel good for you
explore what you want: clarify what you’re looking for in relationships and what feeling connected, fulfilled, and authentic looks like for you
practice expressing your needs: become more comfortable communicating what matters to you and setting boundaries
navigate dating with intention: we’ll build confidence in your choices, recognize what feels right for you, and approach dating in a way that aligns with your values
find your way forward: make sense of a breakup, reconnect with yourself, and explore what you want moving forward
my role as your therapist: my goal isn't to tell you what to do or what your relationships should look like. I'm here to help you feel more connected to yourself, and to feel confident building relationships that honor who you are
strengthening connection through couples therapy
Maybe you and your partner keep having the same argument. One of you reaches out to talk it through while the other pulls back to process, and you both end up frustrated, lonely, and/or misunderstood. Sometimes the harder we try to feel understood, the further apart we end up. Underneath the conflict or distance, there may be hurt, fear, and/or a deep wish for reassurance that’s hard to put into words.
I can help you both bridge that gap and move toward a relationship where you feel understood, comfortable with vulnerability, and close, where you trust each other with difficult feelings, and where you can find your way back to each other after disconnection.
approach in couples therapy:
mapping your dynamic: drawing from attachment-based and emotionally focused approaches, we’ll identify the repetitive cycle you get caught in so you can fight the pattern, not each other
understanding responses: each of you will explore how you respond when disconnected, with room to understand both your own internal world and your partner’s (this part is especially important)
building new experiences: we’ll practice sharing what hurts, listening to understand without rushing to defend, and responding to each other in warm ways that build trust and emotional safety. These new experiences help deepen your connection.
the goal: we aren’t here to figure out who is “right” or “wrong.” We are here to understand the patterns that pull you apart and practice new ways of coming back together.
creating new ways of relating
With an increased understanding of ourselves, we can start trying different ways of responding, communicating, and relating to other people.
I aim to create a space where you feel supported to explore these parts of yourself and are encouraged to try something new. We can make sense of where you are, what you want, and what it looks like to move toward relationships that feel connected, grounded, and fulfilling.
You deserve relationships where you feel seen, understood, and connected, both to others and to yourself