At a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island, the late Kurt Vonnegut informs his pal, the author Joseph Heller, that their host had made more money in a single day than Heller had earned from his wildly popular novel Catch 22 over its whole history. Heller responds, 'Yes, but I have something he will never have...Enough.' 
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-John Bogle, Founder the Vanguard Group
Bring more ease to your relationship with money.
A financial therapist helps individuals and couples who feel stuck with their money. Even after you consult books, financial planners, and debt counselors, you may find that you're not able to apply what you're learning. For most of us, our decisions about money are rooted in our emotional mind. 

You may be feeling anxiety, low self esteem, fear, or a sense of incompetence when it comes to your money. Or maybe you're in conflict with family or fighting with your partner about how to move forward together? 

You might benefit from counseling if you answer yes to any of the following:
  • Are you ignoring mail, phone calls, or bank statements? 
  • Are you keeping secrets from friends and family? 
  • Are you worried that you can't take the first step because you don't think it will do any good? 
  • Have your friends or family told you that you're impulsive with your money?
  • Do you pay down debt only to find it's piled up again? 
  • Are you and your partner fighting over money?
  • Do you question whether you can get through a financial setback such as a job loss or unexpected illness?
  • Are you doing ok now, but realize that you aren't planning for the future?

A Financial Therapist provides a structured, supportive atmosphere to work on money issues.
If you answered yes to any of the above, you're in great company. Most of us didn't grow up talking openly about how to handle money. It's become a taboo topic that most of us keep secret, especially when we're in trouble. As a financial therapist, I help you exactly where you are and start from there. 

A financial therapist counsels people (individually or with partners) on emotional stumbling blocks and other issues that come up when they try to meet financial goals. A non-judgmental and compassionate relationship is essential.

I am NOT a financial planner, estate planner, or similar professional. I help you meet your goals by looking at your emotional relationship to money decisions as well as help couples and families navigate tricky conversations. While I have a lot of concrete knowledge and resources to share, financial planners can help choose investments and help you learn the difference between a Roth IRA and a 401K if you choose to work with one. 

For more information on ways that financial therapy can be helpful, you might find more information in an article I wrote for clients:  Money: The Missing Piece. 

You've already been to a financial planner and read up on personal finance? And you're wondering how this will be different?
Many of my clients tell me they've read books and talked to financial planners yet weren't able to implement what they learned in a way that really stuck. Yet many people who seek assistance from a financial planner or a debt counselor aren't sure what gets in the way when they try to implement advice they receive. 

Psychotherapy focused on money is a holistic look at your relationship to money and what happens in your close relationships when you're dealing with finances together. While financial therapy with a licensed therapist is often more interactive and goal-oriented than you may have experienced in traditional talk therapy, my primary purpose is also to help you address your emotional barriers and make lasting changes. 

See a therapist with specialized training and background well suited for financial work
I'm a trained psychotherapist who specializes in money, relationships, and anxiety. That means that I have the training and skill to address the reasons that many of my clients discover are underneath their financial worry. For example, as a couples counselor, I know how to help people navigate conflict with partners and families. Additionally, I provide a safe, confidential space to share things about your history, culture, and family background that provides useful insight and context for your decisions today. I'm also trained in goal-oriented behavioral change and values-based therapy methods that help manage anxiety, clarify core values, and make changes that are sustainable over time.