Meet Dr. Ghoul

My therapeutic approach integrates emotion-focused therapy with practical tools (CBT, ACT, mindfulness) and deeper exploration (psychodynamic, existential perspectives) as you’re ready. I use tarot (not for divination) and archetypes as symbolism to explore the deeper layers of your mind….to bring the unconscious to your conscious awareness – if you’re open to it. Expressive writing, projection drawings, and dream analysis are a few other examples. 

In our sessions you don’t have to perform. I’ll be fully present as you express thoughts and process emotions to help you understand what is beneath the surface driving your behaviors. The goal is to learn how to tune into yourself. Although I provide feedback and use pattern recognition to point out themes, it’s never advice. I ask questions that have weight to them – designed to help you dig deeper and make connections for yourself. I will validate when appropriate, especially your feeling/emotions, but I’ll also gently confront when I notice you’re getting stuck in a thought loop. I’m here to help you gain confidence in your decision-making ability and not foster dependency on outside validation. I will follow your tangents, and you don’t need perfect explanations.  I don’t provide therapy that only focuses on offering shallow coping strategies and chatting about how your week went. We’ll explore the parts of yourself you’ve been avoiding. I recognize that this may be uncomfortable for some, which is why I focus on building rapport so you feel comfortable opening up and sharing. We will always go at your own pace, especially if trauma is involved. 

Summary of goals people often achieve in therapy:

• Greater self-trust, compassion, and confidence in your decisions
• Getting unstuck from thought loops & rumination
• Understanding the patterns driving your behaviors & repairing core wounds
• Ability to sit through discomfort and regulate intense emotions rather than being overwhelmed by them and withdrawing
• Taking off the mask and no longer performing or seeking external validation

Ketamine-assisted therapy:I also offer ketamine-assisted therapy with Dr. Hawkins for those working with treatment-resistant depression, trauma, anxiety, addiction, or those who want to explore therapy in an altered state of consciousness.