our staff

Elizabeth Baum

“Everyone sees the unseen in proportion to the clarity of his heart, and that depends upon how much he has polished it. Whoever has polished it more sees more- more unseen forms become manifest to him.”
~ Rumi

My faith in the therapeutic process is founded in the belief that we each have the ability to access more of what can provide comfort and clarity in our lives. Intention, curiosity and a devotion to greater happiness are the basic tools needed to kindle profound change. Experiencing “stuck-ness”, repetitive negative patterns, self-doubt, loss, and fear can make common obstacles seem insurmountable, and cloud the path to our hopes for the future. With a non-judgmental and alert presence, the vague often becomes lucid, and confusion can give way to acceptance and understanding - with ourselves and towards others.

My interest is in simplicity of being, and in cultivating what we do that is of service, while looking with a spirit of inquiry at what’s not working. What is the relationship of form to function in our lives, and how can we manifest a more purposeful design? It is my most sincere hope that I can aid in supporting a natural awareness which is the key to living a fulfilled expression of our own authenticity, integrity and joy.

Rachel Burnett

All individuals have within themselves the tools necessary to live satisfying, productive lives. My role as a psychotherapist is to assist clients in discovering their own inherent resources. I strive to provide a safe, honest, and open environment in which we can explore together your unique experience in the world. Expanding awareness is essential to our work. I’m interested in exploring the blocks, interruptions, and “shoulds” that often hinder healthy living. Change begins not by trying to be different, but by being completely who you already are. I work creatively and collaboratively with clients to reveal their own strengths and potential by paying attention, listening deeply, and actively experimenting with awareness exercises.

When we are unaware and cutoff from our feelings, thoughts, and body, we are limited and have few options. Becoming aware of ourselves allows choice, possibility, and freedom. Clients who are desiring growth and are experiencing a wide range of difficulties and challenges stemming from low self esteem, relationship issues, break-ups, family problems, and those experiencing sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, loss, situational depression, and lack of will, can benefit from therapy.

JC Chance

"Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself
and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life."
~ Herbert A. Otto

I believe that therapy is a journey to find our inner truths, our secrets and shadows, as well as tap into places of deep joy and self-acceptance. It is a sharing of our ecstatic hope and our painful vulnerability. It is an opportunity to struggle, and through that effort, to grow in relationship to our self, others, and the world as a whole. Our mind, heart, and spirit are the guides on this journey of discovery and I work to embrace all of these aspects of relation and self-knowledge.

I have extensive training as a sex educator and am interested in working with clients who are exploring sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. I am also very interested in working with clients from diverse backgrounds and bring my life experience of being mixed race to the therapeutic relationship. I deeply value the therapeutic relationship and bring non-judgmental and sometimes playful curiosity to my work as a therapist.

Kate Finney

I believe that therapy is a space where we can be most truly ourselves. Ideally, it is an environment where we can speak freely and not suppress the emotions that may arise. Though this can feel like a daunting, sometimes even frightening, endeavor I hope to create an atmosphere of warmth, acceptance and curiosity so that the true self feels invited to come forward. Together we will discover the mysteries of the unconscious through bringing a heightened awareness to your feelings, beliefs and needs. We will explore why it may painful to acknowledge core aspects of the self, inquire into the defenses that have been built to protect certain wounds, and discover the joy that comes with self-acceptance.

Therapy helps us obtain deeper insight into our own unique organization. The therapeutic relationship can be vessel for true growth as we begin to experience relating to another in a way that feels truly authentic. As this shift takes place we become more able to identify what we truly want in our lives, what inhibits us from obtaining it and what we can do to manifest it. It is my belief that we all deserve a space where we do not have to censor ourselves and can come into contact with what feels most honest and real. In stepping into this space we step towards creating a fulfilling and meaningful life for ourselves

Dinah Haro

Since childhood, I have been drawn to what I call "life beneath the surface." I was curious to understand my own emotional and psychological world, and could sense this world and its deep stirrings in others. I was introspective, sensitive, and endlessly interested in the inner lives of others, especially those that were somehow touched by hardship. I began to believe that while some forms of suffering are immutable, others could be transformed, and that as individuals we can exercise some measure of influence upon our destinies, even our psychological destinies.

I work eclectically, and draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches to best meet the needs of each of my clients. I tend to resonate most closely with psychodynamic, developmental, transpersonal, and relational orientations, but also focus on the role of cognition and thought on psychological well-being and functioning. I am interested in the meaning of life's experiences and how we can enhance our communication skills and self-esteem in order to live in peace and with integrity.

I have a particular interest in the treatment of anxiety in all of its many forms and manifestations due to my own past experience suffering from and coping with anxiety and panic. It's hard to describe the feelings of fear, dismay, and isolation that sufferers of anxiety and panic face. The sensations go far beyond the normal stress response experienced by almost everyone in this modern world. Severe anxiety exists for a reason- it gets our attention- and if we commit to healing, quite often we receive a message that our old system of being is no longer working. It signals a new course of action, a new mindset, a new paradigm for our life. I was able to follow this course within me until it became a path that eventually revealed its gifts. Together we will explore issues of authenticity, assertion, full realization of emotion, care taking, control, and needing to please.

I also see anxiety as a spiritual challenge, inviting us to look at the deeper existential issues of who we are, what is the meaning of our journey here on earth, what is death, and how we use fear to keep us from realizing our full potential. Importance doesn't lie so much in what happens to us in life, but in what we become because of what happens. Whenever possible, I guide my clients towards the exploration of what anxiety is inviting them to become.

Alison Howard

Carl Jung once said, “even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.” While suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, in the therapeutic process, suffering is a beginning, not an ending.

As a psychotherapist, I work with clients struggling with sadness, depression, anxiety, loss, anger, and grief. Some are unable to experience pleasure of any kind. Others feel disconnected and unfulfilled. I listen and strive to have the deepest possible understanding of each client. I recognize that while suffering may be universal, every person has a unique story and therapy is an opportunity to tell that story and have it be heard. It is a safe space to laugh and to cry, and explore hopes, fears, fantasies, and dreams without a fear of being judged. Therapy is a sacred and creative journey, a pathway towards self-discovery and self-growth, a place for internal reflection, and a place to heal wounds and feel whole.

I practice therapy from my heart and work from a place of deep authenticity, compassion, love, joy, and empathy. I believe at its essence, therapy is about making meaningful contact with another individual. That bond which develops over time between client and therapist has a unique healing power. I also believe that the therapeutic process, although often difficult, must have a place for laughter, warmth, and joyful feelings.

I also have extensive training as a sex educator. I believe sexuality is an important component of self-expression. Therefore, I invite clients to explore their sexuality and gender expression in the therapy room.

Molly Howard

Deep within, there is a real self that lies buried under layers of memory, protection, and woundedness. In psychotherapy, we seek to understand these layers and the purpose they have served, as we also seek to unlock our core visions. This transformation is an experience of both strength and vulnerability, in which we experience deeper meaning and a greater connection to the world around us.

Languaging is a powerful part of the process. As we refine the way we articulate our experience, we deepen into ourselves. Nature, art, and music can also be powerful forces of transformation, assisting us back into the present and allowing us to re-experience living in a fully embodied way. Sometimes, the lens into our psyche shifts into spiritual terms.

Exploring the interpersonal world is a vital part of the work. When we explore the therapeutic relationship we often find surprising insights into other relationships. This can illuminate patterns, roles, and behaviors, which we can explore in a new way, with honesty, trust, and support.

No matter how this process unfolds, the journey into the psyche fosters a fuller and more nuanced range of emotion. My goal is to support you in the most enlivened way possible, holding our space with mindfulness and compassion.

Christine Locher

I trust that each of us innately holds the key to our own healing and self growth, but sometimes we need a little help and guidance in beginning to open that door. Through therapy, together we can journey to discover what lies beyond and begin to engage and connect with our true essence by peeling back the inner layers of ourselves. I believe that psychotherapy is a voyage to gently explore the shadow and the light that lives within each of us.

I hold faith in the connection of mind, body and spirit to naturally guide us toward a deeper wisdom within us, and I bring a gentle, engaged, and sometimes humorous and playful approach to help each client more profoundly connect with this self. I enjoy using guided imagery and visualization to contact the more intuitive and deeper parts of us that we aren’t always conscious of.

I come from a background working with women’s issues, as well as having extensive experience as a sex educator.

Anna Neary

"Come as you are."
~Nirvana

Who are you really? Beyond your thoughts and beliefs and fears and stories about yourself and the world around you? Perhaps you are seeking therapy out of a deep dissatisfaction with yourself and the life you have found yourself in. Or perhaps you are suffering a great deal from a traumatic event or a great loss. Perhaps you just want to feel better more often. This desire is a good sign, as it comes from that core part of you that wants to be whole and wants to live your best life. This is the part of you that we will work to strengthen together in therapy, as it is only in this authentic place that true joy and connection can be experienced. While therapy is often a mysterious, "in the moment" collaborative process that opens the door to greater freedom, creativity, and healing, we will also explore practical ways that you can feel relief from some of your more troubling thoughts and behaviors.

My hope for you is that our work together will allow you to feel the joy that comes from being real with yourself and others, and that your ability to work, play, and love will become infused with a newfound freedom, curiosity, and self-acceptance that feels authentically "you."

Kelly Nguyen

I specialize in helping women attract and maintain healthy, romantic relationships, and in guiding individuals in reconciling inter-generational and cultural conflicts. Since healthy relationships are important contributions to our well-being, it is crucial that we look closely at our family history and interactions to understand their impact on our present relationships. It is equally important to understand that it is absolutely possible to change old relationship patterns that are no longer serving us and create and sustain nurturing relationships.

In our work together, you will learn to communicate your authentic feelings in a way that is more easily heard by your partners, friends, colleagues and family members. You will gain insight into what is preventing you from having a healthy relationship and learn tools to positively shift your interactions with others. You will develop a deeper understanding of the potential for change in your life.

With extensive emotional therapeutic work and a background in management and consulting in the corporate world, I am passionate about helping my clients positively transform their personal and professional relationships. I facilitate workshops on improving communication skills and in managing relationship issues. My discussion on "The Impact of Parents' Involvement with a Child's Psychological Development" was aired in several segments on Happy 5 Radio, a local Vietnamese radio station whose programming focuses on helping people bring awareness about child development and the importance of the first five years of life.

Jasmine Ruoff

How
Did the rose
Ever open it’s heart
And give this world
All its
Beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light
Against its
Being,
Otherwise,
We all remain
Too
Frightened.
~ Hafiz

From as humble and integrated a place that is possible within me, I strive to support you in resting into the depth of your being where true health and wisdom reside. From this place, we will explore your strengths and challenges, what your body has to communicate, what your heart feels and what your mind is believing. My hope is that you will feel truly seen, appropriately challenged and deeply supported by me in an environment of openness, curiosity and acceptance.

Ana Santaoalalla

I believe that a profound desire lies within each of us to thrive and live to our highest potential. I view therapy as a collaborative journey toward greater self-awareness and self-realization. Psychotherapy offers an opportunity to expand our understanding of ourselves within a relationship based on trust, acceptance, and love. This unique connection to another person can provide insight to some of the complex issues and patterns that arise in relationships with others and with the self.

By bringing special attention to the various dimensions of our emotional experience, may it be boundless joy or deep sadness, we allow for new and old aspects of our being to surface. It is in this creative exploration that we are able to make space for growth and transformation to occur. As we become more in tune with our inner and outer world, we are better able to navigate through struggle and uncertainty.

The needs and desires that you bring to our relationship inform my work as a therapist. I incorporate humanistic, relational, transpersonal and psychodynamic approaches, with a focus on mindfulness and mind-body-spirit integration. Some of my areas of interest include diversity, gender and sexuality, along with family and relationship issues. As a bi-cultural, first-generation Argentine-American, I hope to bring my unique perspective and life experience to my work with you. I look forward to being both a facilitator and a witness in your journey toward self-discovery.

Mary Beth Trail

I believe that each of us has innate capacity to heal our core wounds and create movement towards becoming an integrated whole. However, at times we can become so overwhelmed that we lose touch with our ability to heal ourselves. When this happens we may grow anxious, depressed, or angry. Our relationships and career may suffer. Sometimes we need help along our path to wholeness.

Psychotherapy can begin to untangle the complexities of your inner experience and bring to light new ways of understanding yourself. Through this process of self-discovery and self-awareness, you can gain a level of insight through which your capacity for healing and growth is rekindled.

I draw upon a variety of therapeutic approaches in order best to meet the needs of each of my clients. I am strongly influenced by psychodynamics, Gestalt, and relational approaches. I am also inspired by my own mindfulness and yoga practices. As your therapist, I see myself as a guide to help you navigate the complexities of self-awareness. I strive to offer a supportive and safe setting in which we can face your challenges and share in your growth.

Liana Wenger

I believe that exploring one's internal emotional and psychological self can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful life, leaving behind hopelessness, depression, and negativity. I believe we have to care for our emotional and psychological selves just as we care for our physical bodies- seeking health and balance. I see therapy as a journey of self discovery and self realization-moving towards your full human potential.

By looking into our past we can understand the present and by being present we can assert and imagine our future. By connecting and nurturing parts of ourselves that may have been overlooked or neglected, we can transform our experience and ourselves. We can explore our goals and find joy and acceptance, wholeness and clarity.

Often experiences from our past become barriers in our present lives. Therapy can serve to help us understand the ways in which we have cope with difficulties. In a therapeutic environment we can examine our defenses, come to understand their sources, and work towards uncovering more powerful beliefs. By understanding that these are myths that no longer define us, we make room to create our own story-a new story.

The qualities I bring to the relationship are respect, compassion, acceptance, warmth, and humor. I offer a safe, non-judgmental, and creative space in which to explore all of the facets of yourself. Together we embark on this journey to discover a deeper and more connected place in ourselves.

I work with couples, individuals, and children. Some of my focuses include relationship issues, parenting and co-parenting, multicultural issues, life cycle events, grief and loss, communication issues, anxiety, and depression.

Psychodynamic and relational psychology, mindfulness, symbolism, body-centered techniques, and imagery guide my practice. I tailor my techniques to meet your needs and your approach to your own healing.

Jordan Wolfe

Like most psychotherapists, I work with people suffering from a range of common, yet difficult, human experiences: feelings of loneliness and disconnection from themselves and the people around them; despair and frustration about limiting behaviors and ways of relating that they feel powerless to change; feelings of depression, anxiety, shame and emptiness; or a sense of lacking depth, direction, aliveness, and clarity in their lives.

While the diverse issues that people come into therapy for tend to have common roots, the particulars are uniquely their own, and my approach is to honor and inquire into the deeply personal nature of clients’ suffering in the context of our dynamic and developing therapeutic relationship. Together we discover how universal principles and tools of healing apply and relate to the specifics of the client’s situation. I embody many ways of being when I work: respectful, compassionate, and patient on the one hand, while playful, irreverent, and gently challenging on the other.

I believe that we each have surprising strengths, inner resources, and resilience deep within us, but we have often lost touch with or learned to disregard our strengths and the power of our true selves while in relationship to those closest to us. For many people that loss happened so long ago that only a glimmer of hope for something better remains which brings them into therapy. In working to uncover client’s dreams and move towards their goals, I hold their latent strengths and potentials in mind while also encouraging them to approach their issues like an artist does the canvas: full of inspiration, ease, and appreciation—and even joy with the process itself.