Approaches

Freestanding storage shelves with art supplies. Top shelf shows large metal tins containing markers, colored pencils, pencils, crayons, and paint brushes. Second shelf contains watercolor materials and additional art supplies. Lowest shelf contains paper.

End table from the Hillcrest Psychotherapy office. The table is unfinished pine wood with an open shelf and drawer. The shelf includes several small river stones stacked in two piles. The top of table includes a white spherical lamp, dried flowers, and a analog clock reading eight minutes after nine o'clock.

The following are a collection of perspectives and modalities, which are integral at Hillcrest Psychotherapy.

Humanistic and Psychodynamic Foundation

My therapy work takes a client-centered approach where I consider the whole individual including the wide range of experiences and feelings that they bring into sessions. It is important to me that I meet my clients right where they are in their lives with a non-judgemental perspective.

I believe that the way people relate and attach to others impacts their understanding of themselves and their ability to develop healthy and secure relationships. Exploring past and present relationships can help clients gain a more robust awareness of themselves as well as help to deepen their connection with others. As a therapist, I use a relational approach in that I see the client/therapist relationship as important in building insight and understanding as well as trust and comfort within the therapeutic work.

Play Therapy

Interior view of children's play space in the Hillcrest Psychotherapy office. A large, blue, round rug covers the floor. Books, a dollhouse/ playhouse, stuffed animals, and other therapy toys are visible.

In my work with children, I use a client centered play therapy approach where I strive to understand their feelings and experiences through metaphor and symbolism. The play area in my office is fully stocked with a wide selection of play things, which are intentionally chosen to support children in expressing themselves through play. I consider all forms of creative expression part of the play experience.

“Toys are children’s words and play is their language” — Gary L. Landreth

Please explore the following resources for more information on play therapy:

Overhead view of a children's painting. A child's arm is in the frame holding a paint brush and appears to be actively creating the art. The artwork depicts several colorful buildings.

Art Therapy

I have a decades-long, extensive background in expressive art education and therapy, including visual arts in a wide variety of mediums as well as creative writing. I use a full range of creative expression therapeutic interventions with children, adolescents, and adults as desired, which are client centered and often client directed.

Evidence Based Approaches

I judiciously incorporate evidence based therapeutic practices and strategies into therapy sessions as needed. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and mindfulness practices.

Cultural Responsiveness and Cultural Humility

I am committed to considering and responding to the self-identification and diversity that clients bring to the therapeutic space. I deeply value diversity and I am committed to learning about each client’s unique cultural identity including the ways various aspects of identity intersect. Additionally, I am committed to and continue to examine my own beliefs and cultural identities to better understand the beliefs and cultural identities of others.