What’s that mean? A series: The Person-Centered Approach

When we meet for the first time, one of the things I’ll share with you is my Person-Centered approach, what it means, and why it often feels so safe. So many of us come to therapy feeling like we’ve had to explain ourselves over and over again. Sometimes, the people in our lives want to help by offering opinions or advice, and while those intentions might come from love, they can also leave us feeling misunderstood, isolated, or even judged. Person-Centered therapy works because you can share what’s happening without this type of disconnect, without the pressure to perform or fix anything.

The Person-Centered method is foundational to my therapeutic style because it’s my belief that you are already whole. You don’t need to be “fixed,” you just need a space where you feel safe enough to know yourself clearly. What that means in practice is that you are always met with respect, compassion, and honesty. Rather than telling you what to do, I’m here to partner with you as you make sense of what’s happening and where you’d like to go next. You don’t have to prove anything to earn my kindness. You don’t have to hide the parts of you that feel uncertain or tender. I trust that you already carry the insight and capacity for change inside you, even if that voice feels quiet right now.

As your therapist I’m dedicated to modeling what unwavering respect looks like in relationships. I’ll challenge perspectives and provide support in ways that leave you knowing yourself a bit better, every time. So when we meet, you just have to show up in the ways you can with the tools that you have. The rest we’ll figure out together, and oh the places you’ll take us!

If you want to learn more about how I use a Person-Centered approach and how we can apply it to meet your specific needs, reach out to me here.