Online Therapy For Healing And Personal & Spiritual Growth
Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and the space where you engage in it matters. Thanks to advancements in technology, online therapy sessions are now the preferred way for millions of people to see their therapists.
Many years post-pandemic, we now know that telehealth is just as effective as in-person therapy. And, some contend that it’s even more effective, as online counseling offers flexibility, accessibility and a space for healing without the added stresses of commuting and trying to fit more into a day. Many people also find it easier to open up when they’re in the comfort of their own space, surrounded by familiar objects and perhaps even their pets.
The Sacred Space of Online Therapy
Whether you’re at home, in your office, or anywhere else, the invitation for online counseling with me is to set up a safe, nurturing space that feels supportive and intentional. Much like in meditation, you’ll begin by choosing where to sit, ensuring that your surroundings are conducive to calmness and reflection. This is a space for you to focus on yourself.
As we begin our work together, I'll offer suggestions to help you create this space, with it ideally designed to be free of interruptions. For instance, if you share your home or you’re at the office, you might use a white noise app or sound machine to block out background noise. Many apps offer soothing sounds, such as waves or rainfall, to create a calming atmosphere. It’s also helpful if the space is free of clutter. If possible, try to set up in a place in which you’re not surrounded by laundry, dishes, or other reminders of the day’s responsibilities. A clean, clear space can help you mentally and emotionally prepare for the work we’ll do together.
You might also consider lighting a candle, bringing in a soft blanket, or incorporating personal items that bring warmth and comfort—maybe a plant, statue of a deity, or a favorite mug. Many people I work with also love online counseling as they can have their cat, dog or another animal that provides support with them during sessions.
Even if you’re in the middle of a busy workday, our time together is yours to pause, breathe and dedicate an hour to yourself. By setting aside distractions and preparing mentally—I’ll also offer suggestions on how to briefly ground before sessions and integrate after— you can get the most out of your online counseling experience.
The Therapeutic Relationship: A Secure Holding Space
Although we’re not in the same room together, online therapy gives us the beautiful opportunity to connect even miles and miles apart, which is important as the relationship we build together is a core aspect of our work. I also prepare myself and my space before our sessions so I can show up fully attuned to you, what’s happening for you in the moment and what it is that you want to heal and grow. My role is to listen intently, honoring that this is your journey, while walking alongside you as you uncover new insights about yourself. This connection forms the foundation for healing—a space where you can feel safe, understood and supported.
It can be helpful to think of our sessions as an “emotional hammock"—a space where you feel supported no matter what you're experiencing. Whether it’s deep grief or moments of joy, I provide a holding environment for you, while also helping you to expand your capacity for holding the multitude of emotions that we experience as humans, without judgement, blame or shame. Over time, the goal is for this to become an internalized experience as you develop a loving, secure attachment with yourself and strengthen trust in your ability to comfort yourself.
Creating Trust & Care Within Yourself
I believe that we all have the ability to create a secure and nurturing attachment with ourselves, however, especially in today’s fast-paced world, we need to learn how to slow down and notice what’s coming up moment-to-moment to gain the insight needed to deepen self-discovery and cultivate increased self-compassion and personal awareness. Therapy gives us the time and space to do this.
My approach to therapy weaves together mindfulness meditation and Buddhist psychological principles with proven Western therapeutic approaches to help you deepen your self-awareness, facilitate healing and foster ongoing growth. The wisdom embedded in these principles and practices teaches you how to observe your thoughts and emotions and hold them with compassion and care, allowing you to stay with and process difficult experiences with increased calmness and clarity. The goal is to embrace present moment awareness while increasing your ability to hold both joy and pain with equanimity.
This often involves learning how to be with grief, anxiety, anger or sadness in a way that doesn’t flood or overwhelm you. It requires gently increasing tolerance, resilience and adaptability so that you’re able to be in life’s challenges with a sense of kindness and curiosity, rather than trying to numb or avoid out of old conditioning and/or fear. The crux of this work is to help you develop a secure attachment with yourself, turning the inner critic into an inner friend who encourages and supports rather than criticizes and judges.
What You Can Expect from Our Work Together
Throughout sessions and our time together, we’ll explore what’s happening in your life right now, your childhood, your past relationships/challenges/joys and successes, as well as your desires for personal and spiritual growth. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, codependency, attachment issues, a desire to explore mindfulness for personal and spiritual growth or something else that’s bringing you into therapy, we work collaboratively, giving attention to what is calling for it, while simultaneously increasing personal trust and your ability to tap into your innate wisdom and inherent capacity to heal.
As we work together, I’ll encourage you to be curious and engaged in your own healing process. As well as to openly share anything and everything that is coming up for you—be that grief, fears, anxiety or sadness, knowing that I’m here to offer insight and support.
Ultimately, this is your journey, and you know yourself best. It’s my honored role to meet you where you are in each session—offering support in times of need, guidance and encouragement as you work through challenges, and celebration when you encounter breakthroughs and reach milestones. We’ll bring in Buddhist wisdom and draw from other approaches as needed and desired, creating a warm, supportive relationship and a mindful therapeutic approach that resonates with and feels right and effective for you.
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re in a busy office or a quiet corner of your home, I’ve designed this online therapeutic process to be meaningful and transformative.
If you feel drawn to this work and live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Virginia, please reach out to schedule an initial call to connect. We can discuss your needs and goals, and I’m happy to answer any questions you have about online therapy and my practice. You can also learn more by visiting my About page, and please browse the website for more information about my specialties and How I Work.
If you reside outside of any of the states listed above, yet feel drawn to engaging in this work, please reach out directly. We can discuss how I can help you deepen your mindfulness and meditation practices and incorporate Buddhist wisdom into your life in both practical and creative ways.
For those of you particularly interested in Buddhist psychology and deepening your mindfulness and meditation practices in community, I offer a biweekly, online class. More information can be found here.