Psychodynamic therapy originated with Sigmund Freud’s invention of psychoanalysis around the turn of the 20th century. Freud’s original “talking cure” hung on the belief that the unconscious mind tremendously influences the suffering in the conscious mind. By bringing forth what is out of awareness, one can find relief from the symptoms that dominate our awareness. Over the past century, psychodynamic therapy and psychoanalysis has expanded in many directions, but remains centered on the belief that our lives are affected by forces out of our consciousness.

This is the way I explain it:

Our experiences, even from very early life, make marks in our minds.  We grow around those marks - accommodating them, building on top of them, avoiding them.  As time goes on, patterns form.  We get stuck in ways of being without apparent explanation.  We develop symptoms.  Those marks, whether made recently or long ago, are buried beneath the surface, manifesting themselves in these patterns and symptoms.  We end up held together in ways that allow us to survive, but cause suffering.  In psychodynamic psychotherapy, through our relationship, we slow down together and listen closely to you.  Over time, as we listen together to whatever comes to your mind or body during our sessions, we’ll hear small sounds coming from deep inside you.  We will expand the small moments of gestures, facial expressions, word choice, and feelings, to find more and more about you. As we listen and feel together, we’ll come to understand more and more how and who you are. Relief comes from feeling and putting words to those marks. Over time, you will gain a greater sense of mastery, ease, and flexibility in life.

I'm a licensed clinical social worker, which means I have a Master of Social Work degree and have completed a certain number of hours of supervised practice to obtain a license to practice clinically independently as a psychotherapist. I completed my MSW in 2016 and became independently licensed in 2020. I completed additional post-graduate training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy through the Florida Psychoanalytic Center and the Stephen Mitchell Relational Studies Center.

I work with clients with long-standing issues with depression, anxiety, difficulties in relationships, or challenges with adjustment who want to explore themselves deeply. When trying to “fix” yourself through sheer will and behavioral interventions hasn’t worked, seeking a deeper understanding of your issues can help. In this kind of treatment, getting better does not mean making your symptoms go away entirely, but making your mind more open, flexible, resilient, accepting, and honoring of the self.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy with me is not a short-term treatment. Long-standing issues benefit from long-term treatment. You might suffer from varied or complicated symptoms and have a varied, complicated history. You may feel confused and stuck. I have significant experience working with military spouses and people who have experienced trauma in childhood.

Through the course of treatment, we cannot know what feelings or thoughts or memories will come to you. We enter into a journey together without knowing where we may end up. All of your thoughts, feelings, images, dreams, and sensations are important. I believe social, cultural, historical, political, and economic forces have tremendous impacts on our lives. I don't believe you are a single "problem," but a complex person with a complex, living, human experience. I believe the relationship between me and you in the therapy is the primary means of growth in treatment, so I pay special attention to the quality of our connection and collaboration.

I see clients in-person in Fayetteville, North Carolina at 2533 Raeford Road, Suite D. I see clients virtually from anywhere in North Carolina or Florida.

Appointments are available during daytime hours from Monday to Thursday.

Sessions are 50 minutes long and cost $140 out-of-pocket. I accept many insurances. Please contact me to check if I can accept your insurance.

Appointments must be weekly or twice-weekly. I do not work at a lower frequency.