Dr. S specializes in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and views the therapeutic process as a mutual endeavor between therapist and client that provides a healing space to help you become more in touch with your authentic self. With your ways of relating to yourself and others being acquired during early life, such patterns will invariably manifest in therapy and provide an ideal opportunity to examine and work through painful emotional experiences and relational trauma.

Contrary to models of therapy focused on deficiencies and diagnosis of “mental disorders,” Dr. S takes a holistic perspective that views and treats the person as an interconnected being - including mind, body, and spirit. While aiming to evaluate and address realistically the patterns that contribute to past and present difficulties, she seeks to help you discover the beauty in your story and remove the obstacles that prevent you from moving forward on your path with greater peace and joy.

Looking beyond the mere removal of symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, Dr. S gears psychotherapy towards a greater overall sense of well-being and inner alignment that leads to a more meaningful and purposeful existence.

Trauma takes many forms and can profoundly impact how we relate to ourselves and others, often shaping the way we experience the world in both conscious and unconscious ways. Traumatic experiences are more than just an isolated event - they impact our sense of self, leading us to form defensive patterns, where past wounds influence present-day interactions and emotional responses. The effects of trauma often manifest in feelings of disconnection, mistrust, and difficulty forming healthy attachments with others, as one’s capacity for intimacy and vulnerability becomes compromised.

Dissociation is one way the mind protects itself from overwhelming emotions, often fragmenting parts of the self to shield against pain or fear. While dissociation can serve as a coping mechanism during traumatic experiences, it can also create barriers in one's relational and emotional life. People may feel distant from their emotions or like they are watching their lives from the outside, unable to engage fully with others.

Therapy with Dr. S will focus on understanding how past trauma has shaped your inner world and how these patterns play out in current relationships, including the therapeutic relationship itself. Healing from trauma and dissociation involves not only processing the traumatic memories, but also working through any maladaptive relational dynamics that have been created. Through a safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship, clients can begin to reconnect with the disowned parts of themselves, re-establish trust, and form more integrated, fulfilling relationships moving forward.

Her clinical and research interests have focused particularly on treating survivors of childhood sexual trauma, dissociative tendencies and borderline/narcissistic personality tendencies.

Our relationships with others often mirror the relationship we have with ourselves. The ways we communicate, set boundaries, express our needs, and respond to others are influenced by unconscious patterns formed early in life. These patterns shape our interpersonal expectations, attachment styles, and the roles we assume in relationships, often without our conscious awareness. In individual or couples therapy, Dr. S helps clients explore the root of their relational difficulties, not only by addressing current challenges but by diving into the underlying emotional dynamics that contribute to these patterns.

Through this process, you’ll examine how early attachment experiences, past trauma, or unspoken needs have shaped your expectations of others and your ability to trust, connect, or assert your boundaries. By gaining insight into your own inner world, you can begin to break free from repetitive patterns that may be limiting your ability to form healthy, fulfilling relationships.

The therapeutic process will also pay close attention to the dynamics that unfold in the therapeutic relationship itself, as this can offer valuable insight into how you relate to others in your life and will provide an opportunity for healing and growth. Through this reflective process, you can gradually shift how you engage with yourself and others, enabling you to cultivate relationships grounded in mutual respect, understanding, and emotional intimacy.

Dr. S has extensive experience working with high-performing men, including executives, entrepreneurs, politicians, and pro-athletes who face unique and often unspoken challenges. The pressures of maintaining a successful career, managing personal relationships, and adhering to societal expectations of masculinity can create deep internal conflicts. Many men experience difficulties in expressing emotions, maintaining intimate connections, and balancing the demands of personal and professional life.

She understands the relational struggles that often accompany the pursuit of high achievement. Dr. S has helped men navigate the pressures of leadership roles and the impact these stresses have on marriages and family dynamics. Her approach goes beyond addressing surface-level symptoms: she focused on uncovering the underlying emotional patterns that influence these challenges, helping men to develop a deeper understanding of their inner world.

Dr. S guides her clients through a process of gaining insight into how they manage emotions, vulnerability, and interactions with others. She helps men create meaningful changes that lead to greater emotional freedom, authentic connection, and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives.

As a psychologist and former elite athlete, Dr. S brings a unique perspective to the world of sport and performance psychology. She integrates her psychoanalytic background with performance psychology, and can be engaged as a consultant to provide mental wellness and personal development/performance coaching to teams and organizations.

Her mission is to provide the highest level of psychological care to elite athletes, coaches, team leaders, and families, addressing the complex emotional and relational challenges inherent in high-performance environments. Dr. S delivers tailored interventions and support to help strengthen inner resources and emotional intelligence, which allows individuals to apply their talents and skills in more effective, sustainable ways.

Her services range from 1:1 sessions to working with teams and leaders to address conflicts, improve communication, and resolve unspoken resentments - always with a focus on addressing underlying dynamics that can impede success.

Dr. S believes that the foundation of success lies in nurturing the emotional and relational well-being of leaders and key contributors. Her goal is to help her clients achieve excellence while maintaining personal integrity and psychological health, even in the most demanding circumstances.