It never ceases to amaze me how difficult life can be, even in the best of circumstances. Loss, disappointment, grief, and the awareness of our own mortality are conditions of every person's life, though we rarely speak of them in ordinary conversation. Equally remarkable is how people, given the right support, can grieve what they've lost, find their footing, and forge a life of passion and meaning.

No one can say in advance how a particular person will find their way through the trials of their life — which is why therapy must be so personal. The pursuit of happiness involves coming to terms with one's suffering, so that one can finally hear what one most fervently desires. That is no small task. To want anything at all exposes us to disappointment, and many of us have learned to suppress our wants until we feel lost and unsure of ourselves.

It is often with another person — someone we trust and confide in — that we can begin to face what we most need to face. Perhaps their presence lends us courage; perhaps they help us see what we could not see alone. I try to be that kind of companion to my patients: someone who listens with care, who helps them think things through, and who supports them in finding the life they want for themselves.

I am not currently accepting new patients.

My associates at the Free Association Clinic for existential psychotherapy and psychoanalysis do have availability. You can book through the clinic at FreeAssociationClinic.com.