Yes and no. You are seeking therapy to overcome problems, and change is a part of the process as we move towards your goals. At the same time, I believe the core of who you are is essential to preserve and will be our guide for therapy direction.

I follow a motivational interviewing approach. This means that I trust that your natural motivation to become healthier will drive topic direction and depth of therapy, and my job is to help uncover and build that motivation. I will not insist that you talk about something or try a new coping strategy if you disagree or feel hesitant. I will not guilt-trip you for behaviors such as using substances, disordered eating, or engaging in a hurtful relationship.

If I don’t have much experience with your concerns, or I am not a good interpersonal fit with you, I can refer you to someone who is a better match.

I enjoy working with people of all gender identities. What I mean by feminist therapy is that I view you as the driver in your life and in therapy. We would be equal collaborators for your care.

My focus on helping clients manage alcohol and other drug use ranges from use reduction to abstinence, depending on what works best for each person. Together, we would assess patterns, identify potential changes, explore healthier ways to cope with difficult feelings and spend time, and find ways to navigate relationships with friends and family members who use. I promote harm-reduction through considering ways to minimize risks to you and your relationships while using alcohol or other substances.

When we have a healthy relationship with food, we can be spontaneous and relaxed with eating, feel free to eat a wide variety of food, and also attend to our physical health while making food and exercise choices. We would also have plenty of space in our minds and schedules for other aspects of life that are important to us. Disordered eating and exercise can mean that thoughts and behaviors related to food and exercise dominate the day.

I support size acceptance and believe that health comes in diverse shapes and sizes rather than a particular BMI or muscle mass.

Some of the interventions I use to help people live healthier lives include providing information about and exploring:

• how personal relationships can help or hinder change

• how your body reacts to continued alcohol and other drug abuse and disordered eating and exercise

• evidence-based strategies to reduce substance use and disordered eating/exercise and improve overall mental health

• how all of these factors contribute to maintaining sobriety and intuitive eating

Based on your interest, I can also make referrals to medical doctors and nutritionists who are trained in these concerns and collaborate with such providers for your care.

I am an interpersonal process therapist, which means I consider human relationships to be at the center of mental health. When you decide to work with me, a part of therapy will focus on relationship patterns and how they affect your well-being.

I aim to provide a nonjudgmental and compassionate space for you to process feelings about, and experiences of, relationship and other life concerns. We would examine patterns of relationship dynamics that improve your mental health and others that trigger difficult feelings. What we learn about your life and relationships would inform strategies to try to strengthen your relationships and your internal resilience to ebbs and flows that naturally occur in them.