about therapy

Why therapy?  Because you ask. Because you dream. Because you seek. Because you feel isolated. Because you withdraw. Because you're tired of shouldering the burden alone. Because the idea of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" feels unfair and unkind. Because you're uncertain about next steps. Because something feels off balance. Because you feel traumatized. Because you want to feel safe. Because you're not sure what that means. Because you don't know who you are. Because who you are is changing. Because just being a person in the world today feels scary and frustrating. Because you're in a body. Because you're sick. Because you're in pain. Because you have secrets. Because you have fantasies. Because your usual fixes aren't working anymore. Because you feel people can't be trusted. Because you don't trust yourself. Because communication is difficult. Because you feel misunderstood. Because you feel different. Because you feel invisible. Because you feel unheard. Because you feel stuck. Because you are grieving. Because you don't recognize yourself. Because you feel scattered and confused. Because you feel fragmented. Because people don't seem to know the real you. Because you hide. Because you're afraid. Because you feel lost. Because you've lost control. Because you need control. Because you feel compelled. Because you feel anxious. Because you feel angry. Because you were betrayed. Because you're overwhelmed. Because your mind won't let you rest. Because all you do is rest. Because you feel everything. Because you feel nothing. Because it's time for a change. Because you want to feel better. Because you matter. 

I practice a style of psychotherapy called Relational Gestalt. In Greek, "psyche" means "spirit or soul", and when translated from German, the verb "gestalt" means "to make whole". And so, in therapy, we're embarking together on a journey toward wholeness of soul -- that is, integrative healing in a world that is increasingly divided, distressed and disembodied, and one that privileges toughness, denial and individualism over sensitivity, awareness and collaboration. As a consequence of chronic exposure to this sick and backward world, as humans, we spend a great deal of energy trying to be something or someone that we innately are not -- an abstract and ever-elusive something or someone we think we "should" be. Instead of exploring and accepting ourselves and others as we are, we sweep intolerable and socially unacceptable feelings and experiences under the rug. Though it may help us to survive and get through the discomfort of the moment, over time, we do so often to the great detriment of our mental, emotional and even physical health. 

Relational Gestalt views the exploration and integration of these fragmented parts of self as central to the healing work of psychotherapy, while also maintaining a sensitivity to the ways in which considerations of the past and future serve to shape our unique experiences and worldviews. It is an approach that privileges human connection, taking the perspective that we are always in relationship -- with our selves and each other, as well as with our bodies, cultures and environments. It acknowledges the important role of somatic sensation in helping us to better understand and navigate these complex relationships. Under the Relational Gestalt model, the foundational goals of therapy are: to better understand how we relate and organize our experiences in the world; and to develop a greater capacity to be more fully ourselves and more present in the here-and-now. In our work together, we will negotiate what this means and looks like for you, specifically. 

For additional details, please see my page on what to expect from therapy. Please also be sure to visit my page on group therapy.

All psychotherapy services are provided under supervision at The Relational Center. 

fees & scheduling

Sessions are by appointment only. Please contact Angela directly for information on service fees and availability.

insurance

While I do not work directly with insurance companies, I am able to provide you with a monthly super-bill, which you may use to request reimbursement from your insurance provider. Most plans will reimburse between 50% and 100% of the per-session fee.  Please contact your insurance company directly to learn more about the specifics of your policy and what is required for reimbursement.