I make sense of couples' relational impasses through six lenses, listed here in order of importance to my approach:

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1. Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) –  The cutting edge in research-based couple therapy, PACT integrates neuroscience, attachment & somatic perspectives to identify obstacles that undermine partnership while providing resources for rebuilding it. I have been in ongoing training with the PACT institute and PACT supervisors since 2015.

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2. Gottman Method – Identifies how "master" couples differ from "disaster couples" in ordinary interactional practices. This approach is the original foundation of all interactionally-focused couples therapy. I completed the full Gottman training (level 3) & Seven Principles leadership training; I update my knowledge of advances on a regular basis.

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3. Dynamic Maturational Model of attachment– This is the most up-to-date formulation of self-protective strategies, also called attachment styles. I've been in ongoing training with the Family Relations Institute since 2022 to gain proficiency in assessing for partner's self-protective strategies, that, while learned throughout the lifespan, may not be well adapted to couples' current circumstances. Analysis through this lens informs both informs the way I work with couples and generates systematic ways to assess progress.

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I help couples with trauma using somatic and dialogic-relational approaches to therapy in which I have significant training: 

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4. Body-based (Gestalt) therapy –  Takes a holistic, person-centered approach to building awareness of internalized blocks to experience, providing a basis for re-establishing contact with self & others. I spent five years in continuous experiential and theoretical training at the Hartford Family Institute.

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5. Polyvagal theory – Polyvagal theory is a knowledge base, rather than a therapy. It draws on physiologists' understandings of the role of the nervous system in alternating between social engagement (for creativity and learning) and threat responses (for survival, but limiting creativity and learning). I stay up to date on relevant findings and practical applications.​

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6. AEDP (Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy). A post-gestalt therapy combining experiential and psychodynamic approaches to understanding the emotionally-isolating experience of trauma and its resolution in the undoing of the isolation. I trained with the AEDP institute for two years.

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I have additional training in each of these approaches:

• Pragmatic experiential couples therapy (PET-C) – Helps couples  reduce blame while identifying interactional and interpersonal triggers. 

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• Emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT) –  Consolidates romantic and secure bonds around shared experiences.

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