Trauma exposure, through such events as motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, childhood sexual abuse, childhood physical abuse and other criminal victimization can be devastating. Such exposure may cause significant forms of avoidance, re-experiencing (e.g., nightmares) and physiological arousal (e.g., rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath). Trauma-focused treatment can help to reduce these symptoms and help individuals return to living their lives with significantly less distress.

Broadly, anxiety includes worry, concentration difficulties, sleep disruption, physiological changes (e.g., muscle tension and rapid heart beat). It can also include obsessive thinking, fear and avoidance. Anxiety can be helpful in keeping us on task and propelling us forward but it can quickly reach a painful level that disrupts one's quality of life. Cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety can help reduce both the  psychological and physiological symptoms of anxiety, serving to make one's life more easily enjoyed. Exposure-based treatment for anxiety are also useful to help individuals overcome longstanding and recently developed fears and phobias.  For example, those frightened by large animals or uncontrollable stimuli might benefit from interacting with a horse to learn to decrease physiological arousal and other anxiety symptoms in real time (in vivo).

Depression is a prevalent psychological condition that exists in many forms. Symptoms include a loss of interest in activities, sleep disruption, appetite changes, suicidal thoughts and feelings of guilt or worthlessness. For some, depression is mild and brief; for others, it is debilitating and chronic. It can be related to life events or can come out of the blue. Regardless of its genesis or severity, depression can be treated and, if not eliminated, significantly reduced with cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Often individuals use substances as a way to cope with psychological difficulties such as anxiety and depression. Treating these psychological conditions, along with reducing unhealthy substance use, can be effective in returning individuals to a more productive and satisfying level of functioning. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help slow or stop negative behavior and thought patterns that lead to substance use and promote more positive, adaptive coping strategies, thus reducing substance use and enhancing quality of life.

While having a child can be the most spectacular experience of one's life, it can also be extremely stressful and isolating experience. Therapy can help to reduce the negative emotional experiences associated with being a parent and can offer new approaches to parenting and self-care, which can lead to more rewarding family interactions and a healthy, well adjusted child.

Unfortunately, death is a nature part of life. It can, however, still be difficult to understand and to heal from. In particular, when death is sudden or unexpected, it is painful and disorienting. Grief counseling can help an individual to incorporate their loss into their sense of self and their sense of the world, helping to lessen the toll death can have on the living.

Life transitions and change can present numerous challenges. Making decisions about career paths can be paralyzing for some and overwhelming for many people. Having the opportunity to discuss options and enhance decision-making skills can be the difference between an unwanted life and a rewarding life. Working with me in a therapeutic setting can provide this opportunity.

Life can be harried, difficult and demanding. Learning how to set healthy boundaries and to develop self-care strategies can be the key to managing stress. Working with me in a therapeutic setting can be the training ground for improved stress management skills.

Relationships often bring with them conflict. Learning how to manage and resolve conflict can be a key ingredient in a successful career and a successful family life. Lack of experience and personal attributes are the biggest contributors to poor conflict resolution skills. Working with me in therapy can provide opportunities to change the way one sees relationships and problems and can provide new approaches to relationships, so as to reduce conflict.