Focusing on You

“A living myth is not recognized as myth until we step out of the certitude it affords. . . . We live myth before we know it as myth.”

-James Hillman

Working with adults

“Where are you now? What are your needs?” Dr. Strayhorn encourages such discussions in the early stages of therapy. It is essential that he understands where people are at in their lives. Equally important are what aspects of one’s childhood history or life patterns have been brought into current relationships. Dr. Strayhorn frequently uses narrative genograms, or family trees, in early sessions to help one later understand present day experiences, as well as how one navigates through life.

Working with Couples & Relationships

Could it be as simple as how we communicate with one another? Learning to understand your partners wants and needs, while learning about ourselves? Once these concepts are recognized people relate in healthier stronger ways. What people fail to realize is that no one enters into a serious relationship with the intent to seriously harm their partner. Often people enter into a union wanting some form of happiness. Working toward a healthier relationship is what most are trying to achieve. I have seen couples become stronger because of therapy; I have seen couples break-up and become better people after uncoupling because of therapy. Usually, this movement within therapy more often than not, is a result of increased listening and learning how to listen (which is much harder than we think).  

Working with the Alzheimer’s, Dementia population.

Could the Dementia and Alzheimer's experience generate a positive meaning in life? Yes.  Some people actually thrive after being diagnosed.  Imagine being forced to find a happier pace, being forced into self-caring, being forced to be productive in healthy activities that you choose.  What we are learning is that many demographics are affected by Dementia.  As more Baby Boomers and Generation X’ers are aging; we are recognizing the sandwich population, caring for the aging parents and raising children at home, is becoming overwhelming.  A combination of life coaching strategies (finances, living and home planning, work adjustments, etc.) and supporting individual and family development is the new discussion.

Working with adoptive, foster parenting, and family planning [including surrogacy, and LGBTQIA+].

The idea of a forever family and creating alternatives to design a family works.  The concept of permanency, safety, security and unconditionalism in a created nuclear unit is a realistic doable goal.  However, navigating through logistical transitions to reach parenting and caregiver goals can be daunting.  Whether working through the mechanics of producing/creating biological children, or the often rigors of adoption and kinship/ foster scenarios; everyone deserves to be connected to their family.  Often the hard topics range from one partner not being fully vested in starting a family, managing setbacks during the process of expanding a family, addressing legal complications, working through a child’s unexpected return to their biological family, to realizing regret and buyer’s remorse after fostering a child.  Within the past several years creating non-traditional families are no longer aspirational, but highly doable.  Therapeutic support can not only provide a processing of feelings but a strategic process for managing the difficult life cycle of the parenting process.

To help better service your inquiry, contact me regarding what we can help you overcome.

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Education

Pacifica Graduate Institute
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Emphasis in Jungian Depth Psychology

Antioch University
M.A., Clinical Psychology, Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy

San Jose State University
B.A., Marketing