psychotherapy

My area of expertise is in the application of an integrative mind-body approach to treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, somatic and eating disorders, and trauma.

I currently serve as Assistant Program Manager and provide individual, family, and group therapy at The Renfrew Center, a residential eating disorders treatment facility. A Pre-licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, I am supervised by Suzanne Hastie, BC-DMT, LPC, NCC. My primary theoretical orientation, in addition to Dance/Movement Therapy, is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

From time to time I offer in-person outpatient therapy groups in the NW Philadelphia/ Lower Merion area. If you are interested in group therapy, please see the classes & groups page for more information. And if you are new to psychotherapy and have general questions about the process, please see the FAQ below.

faq

How do I know if I need therapy?

The feeling of psychic and physical immobility—of being stuck—is often a symptom of mental health challenges. You may feel lethargic or restlessly idle. Perhaps the avoidance of people or situations is an obstacle to getting ”out there“. Maybe you cannot break a loop of destructive behaviors or relationships or your career has stalled. Ultimately it is difficult to engage in interests or pleasures that would otherwise propel you forward.
What is therapy like?

The first two or three sessions are about getting to know each other, talking through the process and going over some basic history. Once you are comfortable, you will set your own goals and decide what you want to talk about or do in any given session.
How much does a session cost?

Individual sessions cost $90-120 per session, depending on the length of the session. Group sessions cost $45-60 per session, again, depending on the length of the session. A limited number of sliding scale sessions are available.
Can you take my insurance?

I can not currently accept payments from insurance companies. I can supply you with a monthly statement in order to apply for reimbursement from your insurer.
How many sessions does it take before I will feel better?

It is impossible to know ahead of time how many sessions it will take. Everyone's process is unique. It is a good idea to discuss with your therapist when you feel ready to stop but you will always have control over the process.
What does it mean that you are pre-licensed?

When a therapist is "pre-licensed" it means that they have finished the formal internship required of their Master's degree (MS), have graduated and are logging hours towards the 3,000 hour requirement for licensure. Some therapists do not go on to licensure as it is primarily required to practice privately and independently. While it does mean that a pre-licensed therapist is less experienced, they are obligated to regular weekly supervision with a fully licensed and more experienced practitioner. Generally a pre-licensed therapist charges a lower rate. A National Certified Counselor (NCC) is a therapist who has passed the national certification exam for counselors, another requirement for licensure. The R-DMT stands for the Registered Dance/Movement Therapist certification. Generally Registered Dance/Movement Therapists are supervised by a more experienced Dance/Movement Therapist while they are on track towards board certification (BC-DMT).
Tell me about your therapeutic approach.

My approach is holistic and integrative, grounded in the somatic/dynamic tools of Dance/Movement Therapy and the cognitive tools of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. We can talk, walk, meditate, write, create, move and/or dance. I believe wellness fundamentally includes consideration of our physical bodies. How do we feel about the way our body looks and functions? Do we pay attention to and respond respectfully to our physical cues? Do we get enough sleep and eat to nourish? Are we getting enough movement? Are we giving our bodies' needs equal consideration in our day-to-day lives? Do we let our body take up space? Self-esteem, behavior, relationships, and life narratives can then be addressed from this place of deep inner trust.
What is Dance/Movement Therapy?

Dance/Movement Therapy includes the consideration that the body, movement—and by extension, dance—can be vehicles for transformation. We become aware of and heed our sensations through mindfulness enhanced with somatic techniques. Gestures and body language communicate and express when words are insufficient. Ultimately we can learn to honor our body’s unique way of being in the world and move confidently and freely through it. Moving together—spatially and relationally—offers additional layers of social-emotional awareness. For more information about Dance/Movement Therapy, please watch this video:
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a technique for learning to live with (accept) uncomfortable feeling states, unhelpful thinking and self-limiting beliefs. You will define what is important to you and learn to focus on that rather than these challenging cognitive states. More about ACT on goodtherapy.org...
What's the difference between individual and group therapy?

Group therapy includes other clients in the room at the same time and participants share a common concern and/or goal. Group members take turns checking in each time. This format adds layers of reflection, connection, and social learning to the process and outcomes. Movement in the group context enriches the experience with embodied, spatial, and dynamic potential. Groups meet once a week and can also be done in conjunction with individual therapy. Not all groups are movement groups, please inquire.
I still have more questions.

Please reach out through this contact form. We can schedule a free initial 15 minute consultation to explore your questions.