Kimberly Oakes

My therapeutic style could be characterized by open, curious, non-judgmental inquiry to foster safety and develop a positive and productive working alliance. I want you to know that I am on your side. I empower clients to find their voice; whether by setting and seeking goals or simply sharing and feeling heard and validated, I am here to help. For individual therapy, we of course first establish a positive working environment and build the alliance needed to proceed and then discover problem areas or mental health strains, following the trail of negative emotions, which informs us of your personal distress. Reducing this distress, is at the very least, our primary goal. Whether you suffer from anxiety or depression, or lifecycle-induced stressors, which may feel heightened recently or new altogether, we can track feelings and insights that need to be identified and processed, on our way to symptom relief. For couples therapy, we find the core of relational distress and big emotions that need to be felt, witnessed, validated, and sorted by both parties. My strength is working through complex problems with enthusiasm, patience, compassion, and balance, without being one-sided. This is a tall order for most, but I have experienced a great deal of success helping couples, by doing just that. We will work on communication (hearing what's really being said and meant), resentments, betrayal, trust, humility, safety, and how to better meet each other's needs.