I have worked in the mental health field since 1984, with a wide variety of populations and treatment programs. These have included in-patient psychiatric units, family therapy agencies, medical hospitals, chemical dependency programs, partial hospitalization and day-treatment programs, school counseling programs, and private practice.
My therapeutic approach is one of in-depth psychodynamic psychotherapy. Some clients find that using art therapy as a component of the treatment allows greater access to core issues. For many clients the art therapy becomes a valuable means of discovering untapped inner resources and provides a bridge from the unconscious to the conscious.
My therapeutic approach is one of in-depth psychodynamic psychotherapy. Some clients find that using art therapy as a component of the treatment allows greater access to core issues. For many clients the art therapy becomes a valuable means of discovering untapped inner resources and provides a bridge from the unconscious to the conscious.
Services
Obsession with food and weight are often attempts to cope with unresolved emotional issues such as depression, rage, powerlessness, and loss. In group or individual sessions, we will employ a variety of art therapy techniques specifically designed to explore the issues that have led to obesity, compulsive eating, binging, purging, starving, or laxative abuse.
Robin is a thirty year old woman who made an appointment because "I've tried everything and here I am 16 years bulimic and nothing works". During our first session I provided Robin with a storyboard template, and asked her to draw an animation strip showing the sequence of a typical binge/purge episode.
Joan was a 42 year old woman who was about one hundred pounds overweight. Despite a range of health-related problems, including knee trouble and diabetes, she was not able to stick to any weight loss program for more than a few months. We used a variety of art therapy modalities to explore what might be contained in the self-sabotage.
Paul left a message asking for an appointment saying "I don't know if you work with men-- I know that this is usually a women's issue-- but I didn't know where else to turn". He had failed at numerous dieting attempts, and even though his job provided physical exercise, he was unable to keep his weight down.
Reviews (2)
Shimi R.
Sep 28, 2013
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Years ago, I decided I would try psychotherapy to deal with anger issues that were affecting my relationship with my new romantic partner and with profound career dissatisfaction that was really getting me down. I tried several other therapists. They were cold and distant, and it didn't seem like they cared at all. Then I found Ava. Instantly I knew she was the right therapist for me. She succeeds at being both very professional and also warm and caring. She is culturally sensitive, which was very important to me, and a really good listener - she actually remembers things I say from session
William S.
Sep 29, 2010
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Extremely Intelligent yet down to earth and never condescending. Always ethical and makes consistently fair use of client's responsibility toward treatment contract as a dynamic tool for practical life improvement. Ever warm and encouraging but with a constant objective frankness that seems to keep in focus the client's ultimate best interests.
A true mensch.
A true mensch.
