Specializations
With 15 years of experience in the field, Margaret has worked with numerous clients on various clinical issues. She values diversity and prioritizes maintaining an inclusive, welcoming practice that is open to those in need of support. Below are a few areas of particular specialty in Margaret's current practice:
Anxiety/Depression:
When depression symptoms such as hopelessness, fatigue & irritability become overwhelming, involve
physical symptoms, and last for long periods of time, they can keep you
from leading a normal, active life. Worry, fear, panic and other symptoms of anxiety can interfere with your life. Anxiety & depression can be successfully treated! Together we can look at how anxiety/depression is uniquely affecting YOU. We will then explore any underlying causes, warning signs, and develop coping strategies such as relaxation & mindfulness techniques. We can also discuss referrals for medication management and alternative therapies as needed.
Adolescents/Young Adults:
Are you a parent who is worried about your child? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior? Are you a teenager or college student having difficulty coping with stress? Are you in need of someone safe to talk to? Therapy with adolescents and young adults doesn’t have to take a long time! Developmentally, young adults are “ripe” for change and benefit from a safe, private space to access support. My approach with young adults comes from a family systems perspective, including the client's support network as needed while also holding the therapy space sacred for the adolescent/young adult client. I utilize active therapeutic techniques to help meet young clients in their journey, including art, writing exercises and music.
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Life Transitions:
Perhaps you are changing careers or you are having trouble with work/life balance. Maybe you have just become a parent or you are having difficulty coping with grief due to a loss in your life. Life transitions and changes can lead to stress, worry, poor focus and depressed mood. Seeking support from a therapist during times of change can help minimize problematic symptoms and help you to gain clarity around what you need and how you can get it - whether it is self-care, family/social support, or setting new goals for yourself. Often this is the hardest time to ask for help, but also the most beneficial!
Healing from Trauma:
Perhaps you have been living with the effects of traumatic experiences in your life for a long time. Perhaps you feel like you will never heal, that you cannot address these painful areas of your life or "move forward". In our work together, I will gently support you on your journey of healing. We will work first on understanding the impact of traumatic experiences on your everyday life, and on building safe coping skills to help you manage what can feel unmanageable. As we develop a greater understanding of triggers and new ways of coping, you can begin to see yourself as a survivor, to heal and create more meaningful relationships, and feel less "stuck" in the past. All of this will be done at a pace that is safe and tolerable for you.
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Relationship Issues:
You CAN create more meaningful connections and develop strong relationships! You CAN heal from relationship hurts and unhealthy patterns. You can learn to communicate more effectively and connect more deeply with important people in your life. I create a safe, welcoming space for all clients to work on relationship issues, including members of the LGBTQ community. Through our work together, we will first look at your relationship to you and how this has been influenced by family, significant relationships, and life experiences. This work leads to an overall increase in awareness about patterns & relationship needs, to help you create the healthy relationships you WANT to have in your life.
People in the Helping Profession:
Are you a social worker, a
psychotherapist, a doctor or a nurse in the helping profession? Are you an activist committed to fighting social injustice? Are you
finding it difficult to care for yourself when your profession/activism places such high
demands on you to care for others? Feeling burned out and
negative in your work is a common experience for those who are caregivers and helpers. Self-care & support is essential
for you to be effective with your patients, clients and activism. In our work
together, I will help you understand the impact of secondary trauma and
compassion fatigue, explore where you are getting “stuck”, and help you to
create a self-care plan that sticks and works with your life and your schedule.
You can create balance and return to feeling passionate and excited by your
work!
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