Relationship Therapy for Individuals and Couples
Individual Therapy
Relationship-Focused Support for Personal Growth and Well-Being
Many of the challenges people face as individuals show up most clearly in their relationships—or in the absence of the relationships they want. My work in individual therapy is grounded in an understanding of human connection and how emotional history, coping strategies, and patterns shape the way we relate to others and to ourselves.
Some people come to individual therapy knowing exactly what they want to work on. Others know they want something to change but aren’t sure exactly what, or where to begin. Both are welcome. Together, we clarify what’s getting in the way and create a thoughtful, supportive path forward.
I specialize in working with individuals who:
- Want a committed relationship but find it hard to stay connected when challenges arise
- Know their relationship needs attention, but whose partner is not ready or willing to come to therapy
- Are participating in couples therapy and want individual support for issues that emerge during that work
- Are healing after separation or divorce and don’t want to repeat the same patterns in future relationships
- Lose themselves in relationships by prioritizing others at the expense of their own needs
- Want to clarify and communicate what they need, want, and expect from others
- Need to evaluate and update coping strategies that interfere with creating and sustaining healthy connections
- Are partners of individuals struggling with addiction or alcoholism
Individual therapy provides a private, focused space to reflect, gain clarity, and make meaningful changes. Reaching out for support is not a sign of failure—it’s an investment in your long-term well-being and relational health.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a well-researched therapeutic approach used to process trauma and distressing life experiences. I use EMDR with individuals experiencing a single-incident trauma as well as ongoing issues such as anxiety, grief, stress, phobias, addiction, and unresolved childhood experiences.
When a traumatic experience occurs, it can become “locked” in the nervous system along with the original sensations, emotions, and beliefs. Later, reminders—such as certain sounds, smells, images, feelings, or thoughts—can trigger a re-experiencing of the event, even when the danger has passed. In those moments, danger can feel immediate and life-threatening, causing distress and amplified reactivity.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the nervous system process these experiences more fully. Over time, the memory remains, but the emotional intensity is often significantly reduced. Many people find they can remember past events without being overwhelmed by them. While aspects of EMDR are thought to resemble the processing that occurs during REM sleep, it’s important to remember that your own brain is doing the healing, and you remain in control throughout the process.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
Working With Parts of You, Led by the Self
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model developed by Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., that I have found to be helpful in a wide range of situations. IFS is based on the idea that we all have different “parts” of ourselves, as well as a core “Self.” At times, a part can take over the system instead of allowing the Self to lead.
The Self is often described as compassionate, curious, calm, confident, creative, and connected. The overarching goal of IFS therapy is to help people lead from this Self rather than being driven by reactive or protective parts.
By getting to know our parts, we can work with the tension that arises when we feel conflicted inside. I sometimes use IFS before EMDR, as it can help bring the system into greater alignment and readiness for trauma processing.
For example, a client once wanted to process a painful experience with his father but felt conflicted because another part of him feared being disloyal. Using IFS, we were able to understand and reassure the reluctant part that loving his father and wanting to maintain a relationship did not conflict with addressing a distressing experience. Once that part felt understood, trauma processing became possible.
Some clients experience excellent results using IFS alone, others benefit most from EMDR, and many find that a thoughtful combination of both approaches works best. We decide together what feels most supportive for you.
Recovery and Addiction Support
Substance Use and Process Addictions
I have worked in the recovery field for over 25 years and also bring personal experience with recovery into my work. My approach is collaborative, respectful, and individualized.
Substance Use Recovery
When working with substance use, we decide together whether an abstinence-based or harm-reduction approach best fits your goals and circumstances. This decision is guided by your values, your needs, and the level of risk involved.
We explore what drives cravings, identify emotional triggers, and develop practical strategies to help you respond with greater choice rather than automatic, unconscious reactions. Learning how to self-soothe and tolerate difficult emotions is a central part of this work.
Process Addictions
For individuals struggling with process addictions such as codependency, love addiction, or food addiction, recovery often involves learning to stay present with uncomfortable feelings rather than avoiding them. While this can feel challenging at first, meaningful and lasting change is possible. Many clients go on to build healthier, more balanced lives and relationships.
I believe addictions develop for many reasons and often serve as a way to manage emotional pain. My goal is to help you move through life in a way that feels aligned with your values while minimizing harm to yourself and those you care about.
Social support is strongly associated with sustained recovery. I encourage clients to seek support beyond therapy when appropriate. While I respect the 12-Step model and its benefits, I also recognize that it is not the right fit for everyone.
Anxiety and Depression
Understanding Symptoms and Creating Change
Many people experience anxiety, depression, or a combination of both. Symptoms may fluctuate over time and are often influenced by stress, relationships, life transitions, and unresolved emotional experiences.
In our work together, we focus on managing symptoms through practical lifestyle changes while also exploring the underlying issues that contribute to ongoing distress. For clients who choose to use medication, research shows that combining medication with talk therapy often leads to better outcomes than either approach alone.
Issues I Commonly Work With
⦁ Dating and being single
⦁ Divorce and relationship recovery
⦁ Grief and loss
⦁ Anxiety and depression
⦁ Loneliness and isolation
⦁ Boundaries and communication
⦁ Family of origin issues
⦁ Codependency and self-defeating patterns
⦁ Work stress and professional burnout
⦁ Life transitions and difficult decisions
⦁ Personal growth and identity development
⦁ Addiction recovery and living sober
⦁ 12-Step and alternative recovery support.
Targeted Relational Support
Individual Therapy in Petaluma and Online Throughout California
I offer in-person individual therapy in Petaluma, California, and online therapy via Zoom for clients throughout California. If you’re considering individual therapy and would like to explore whether my approach feels like a good fit, I invite you to schedule an initial individual session.