I believe that our wellbeing rests upon many interwoven factors: our communities, professional lives, creative pursuits, and physical health all play a part, as do our strategies for responding to the challenges life throws our way. As Marsha Linehan puts it, we don’t necessarily choose the “problems” or painful experiences of our lives; we do, however, have the opportunity to choose how we respond to such challenges.

I offer an inquisitive approach to exploring the patterns, circumstances and “ruts” that contribute to our suffering. Sometimes, this means identifying the levers of agency we have over our lives so that we can courageously improve our situations. Often, our environment isn’t so easy to change, nor is it always in our best interest to do so. That’s where the work of learning to see our suffering with compassion comes in. Whether you’re struggling with addictive behaviors, relationships or feel bogged down for no discernible reason, I believe we all have the capacity to skillfully examine our inner worlds. We can turn our pain into a powerful teacher – one we may come to appreciate even as we wish for less pain for ourselves and others.

My practice is relationally focused, subscribing to the adage that shared humanity can shed light on our darkest moments and foster a deep learning from them. The structure and modality of our work together is ours to define, and while I am happy to recommend frameworks based upon your unique goals for treatment, our work can also evolve as new insights and growth-edges emerge. I am deeply inspired by several evidence-based therapeutic frameworks, including Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. Ultimately, the language we use to examine our lives can be a powerful ally in empowerment.

While prescribing medications in conjunction with therapy can often enhance efforts toward treatment goals, I have a careful approach to utilizing these tools and feel strongly that a holistic treatment plan leads to deeper recovery — one that does not necessarily need to include medication. Medications often carry a range of associations, both positive and negative. As with my approach to therapy, I feel that a culture of inquiry and an appreciation for the ever-evolving field of psychopharmacology can demystify medications and democratize the role they play in our lives. Safety, tolerability and sustainability of your treatment plan are routinely front-and-center as we consider treatment options. As always, there is no requirement that you start or remain on any medication we choose. I only request that we explore any concerns before making abrupt changes in order to avoid unnecessary suffering.

Many clients I serve already have a therapist with whom they do deep work. I celebrate this and am happy to focus principally on medication management in our sessions if you are primarily seeking support in this area. I value coordinating care with other members of your team – when appropriate and with your permission – so that your treatment can be intentional and productive.

Life is in many ways a dance, a song, a painting that includes the full spectrum of experiences, both discordant and joyful. I believe turning our attention toward what matters most to us can help identify new or deepening opportunities for joy. Whatever your unique wishes, needs and aspirations may be, I look forward to joining with you on the path.

To schedule a free phone consultation, please call 503-298-9165 or email DarioLaPomaPMHNP@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!