Finding the right therapist isn't always easy. I like to say finding a therapist is like finding a shidduch (marriage partner). There has to be a connection, a feeling that this person understands me and can hold space for all of my feelings, as well as inspire a sense of hopefulness and create an environment of safety.

I believe we are all walking through life carrying pain, trauma and/or heartbreak in many areas. Perhaps we struggle in an anxious/avoidant marriage, or feel despair about still being single or hurt because each of our children has a different nisayon (test) that feels unbearable.

We have learned along the way how to manage that pain. Some of us try really hard to prevent it by people pleasing, being perfect or controlling, while others avoid it at all cost by shutting down, distracting themselves with various types of behavior (some addictive) or disassociating.

Some of these behavioral choices are productive and adaptive and some become destructive and maladaptive. The beauty of taking this therapeutic journey is to uncover how our own psychological system is designed, understand what has been blocked, and discover and empathize with the protective nature of all of our parts, so that we have more freedom and choice to become who we were meant to become in the world.

Many of us may feel controlled or flooded by some of our hypervigilant parts that working tirelessly to help us navigate life, yet feel unsuccessful and frustrated that things aren't changing. The key to change is in creating an internal landscape of acceptance and compassion for all of our parts, no matter how "unhealthy" or hurtful they may at first appear.

This is a journey of uncovering our fears, anxieties and insecurities, noticing parts that want to control the process and other parts that want to let go of control, parts that are critical and shame us and parts that want us to feel like we are enough. We each have a unique blend of internal polarized parts that sometimes create confusion or the feeling of being stuck, but as we get to know, and even appreciate them, we experience their transformation.

When our true SELF emerges, we have access to that place inside of us that is spacious, loving, wise, connecting and compassionate. We all want to live from a Self-led place more of the time: to feel a secure, stable grounding under our feet so we can navigate life's tricky terrain.

This is a journey of learning how to be that secure adult for ourselves in our own lives and how to give emun, the gift of believing in our innate goodness and greatness, to ourselves and our loved ones.

This is a journey of giving ourselves permission to be who we really are because we all deserve to know and feel our true value and worthiness. Allowing our true SELF to emerge and lead our lives from a place of strength, clarity and courage is the gift of change we all seek. It would be my honor to support you on this journey.