As women, we wear many different hats: wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, boss and more. We neglect our own needs as we take care of everyone else. This can make us feel guilty, sad, anxious and that we’re just not good enough.   

In my practice, we put you first. My goal is to work with each patient individually to tap into their existing strengths and help them become the best version of themselves.

Major areas of focus include:

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Depression

Depression in women is twice as common as in men. It's estimated that between 10 – 20% of women will experience a major episode of depression at some point in their life. There are many reasons why women develop depression, including social pressures, work stress, family responsibilities and more. What's more, depression in women can be misdiagnosed by doctors up to 50% of the time. Depression in women manifests itself in very different ways from irritability to anxiousness to feeling lethargic and tired all the time. Depression symptoms can be alleviated through cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal therapy and meditative mindfulness. 

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Anxiety

Anxiety disorder is a serious medical condition. As women, we are sometimes told we are just hormonal or that it's ‘all in our heads.’ This is far from the truth in most cases. Anxiety causes feelings of being nervous, a sense of impending danger or doom and can also affect our bodies with disrupted sleep, gastrointestinal issues and feeling weak or tired. The prevalence of anxiety in women is twice that of men. Seeking help for anxiety disorder can reduce anxious feelings and improve quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, meditation and understanding what triggers stress and our bodies natural response system are all ways to mitigate stress.

 

Trauma

It is estimated that 50% of all women have experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime. Women experience trauma differently than men, as females tend to suppress trauma more than men. Female trauma can include physical, emotional and sexual abuse, witnessing violence against others, natural disasters, and even surviving loss or disease. Everyone manifests trauma differently and cognitive/behavioral and cognitive processing therapy can be very beneficial treatments for women’s trauma.

 

Self-esteem and body image

Body image is the way someone perceives their body and their assumption that's how others see them. Body image is closely linked with self-esteem. Shockingly, it's estimated that 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies or appearance. Social media, societal pressures, internal feelings, and generational belief systems are all part of body image and self-esteem. With the right help, body image issues can be treated. I use cognitive-behavioral therapy and other measures to form a healthier, more positive image with one’s own body and reverse negative self-talk.  

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Infertility and Loss

Reproductive challenges, pregnancy, infant loss and other issues specific to woman's health can affect mental health. Experiencing grief and loss over the inability to conceive or losing a pregnancy or child can increase a women's risk for depression. Other issues can arise, such as anger, anxiety, marital problems, sexual dysfunction, and social isolation. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be beneficial for women in these situations who are struggling to cope with these issues.