My Approach

There are certain events or momentary experiences in our lives that we tend to ignore or not take conscious note. Yet such occurances may call for our conscious attention, so revisit us symbolically in a dream. The dream “shows the inner truth and reality of the dreamer as it really is; not as I conjecture it to be, and not as the dreamer would like it to be, but as it is (C.G. Jung, Dreams).”

By engaging in a process of considering and reflecting on our dreams we may discover ourselves, more fully and more vitally in our natural state, with gifts to be found and lessons to be learned. What we miss consciously can act autonomously either “for” or “against” us. When moving toward the yet to be experienced or yet to be mastered in life, we might discover unknown personal resources by considering our dreams and the ‘not yet known’ revealed in them.

 

Sandplay therapy is a creative, nonverbal form of therapy that takes into account the limits of language. Beneficial for adults as well as children, it provides an alternate means of expressing what may seem   inexpressible.

As one surrenders to play, choosing figures and placing them in a tray filled with sand, anxieties are quieted and sleeping energy awakens. Dilemmas begin to play themselves out in a three-dimensional field and the sand player is enabled to see him or herself in dynamic relationship to an issue at hand. Play in this way, for adults as well as for children, provides space into which we can choose to move into relationship with the lesser-known aspects of ourselves. Such revivified relationships within us may then be brought to bear in resolving life issues of most concern to us, as well as enliven and renew the energies in our significant lifelong relationships.

Your daily life is a window into your unique story, illuminated moment by moment, frame by frame, interaction by interaction. For most of us there are parts of our story that eclipse our most alive selves. We may feel a need to expand and create more breathing room; some space to adjust ourselves to what’s most alive in us. My work with you will include a valuing of your particular uniqueness, a focus on your family of origin, your current relationships and the patterns of behaving and relating you tend toward. This work will include retrieving what may have been misplaced or lost, yet necessary to your aliveness and satisfying connections with those special others in your life.

Couple relationships are unconsciously patterned after our early family relationships and attachments. Communication is an important aspect of any relationship and is complicated by the tug of a common human fear that we may be overlooked, overwhelmed or left alone by our partner. My work with you may include looking at early attachment relationships, multigenerational family dynamics and how these dynamics along with current circumstances and issues are affecting each of you, and therefore the connection you share. Each individual will be held with positive regard and attention as you engage in your work of joining in more satisfying ways as a couple. We will work together on improving your ways of communicating, resolving conflict, increasing awareness of each person’s inner processes, and staying connected while creating a relationship that includes room for each of you to work toward the life goals you most hope for.

As members of the human family, we are all remarkably vulnerable to emotional injury and life experiences that unbalance us. Living alongside this vulnerability are unrealized strengths and unconsulted wisdom that oft times remain just beyond our present awareness, unknown and untapped. Such resources can show up for us as a feeling that there’s “something missing”. Unfortunately our modern culture can drown out the stillness required to hear from such intuitions and from one another. It is my view that human beings all hunger for healthy nurturance for the unique self that may be lying quietly slumbering and untended within and between us, waiting to be awakened by conscious attention. Finding ways to access such inner resources can be the first step for each individual toward realizing one’s place in the larger human family. A connection with one’s core self is essential in creating and maintaining healthy connections with the significant others in our lives.