As a therapist my view is that therapy is the result of relationship building, establishing a genuine alliance with each other so you can make healthy choices. Being present-focused together in our therapy session, you are welcome to express yourself without judgment, without criticism, without worry. I support you by validating your lived experience, past and present. I empathize with your challenges and your impediments by seeing you and witnessing your struggles. By active listening I reflect what you share with me nudging you to consider areas of your life that you might be overlooking. Through offering guidance to you, I propose questions that you choose to explore answers to. As a result, you are empowering yourself to disrupt the patterns that have interfered with your success and well-being. I accentuate your personal strengths, and I use them to affirm your sense of self. Most importantly, we are creating the necessary trust and safety essential for you to begin again. I introduce to you new skills to practice as ways to manage triggers that may commonly arise related to family, friends, school, or work. This is part of the emotional effort that is incorporated in gaining awareness of your day-to-day existence. This way, you will be moving your life forward in the direction that is right for you.