Relational Therapy for Adults

“Another thing that got forgotten was the fact that against all probability a sperm whale had suddenly been called into existence several miles above the surface of an alien planet. And since this is not a naturally tenable position for a whale, this poor innocent creature had very little time to come to terms with its identity as a whale before it then had to come to terms with not being a whale any more.”

–Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

What is this place?

Therapy is truly an odd place. It is a social, emotional, and mental experience unlike any other. You are plucked from your life and placed in a room or screen where the process and conversations revolve around you and your life. This can be daunting, intimidating, and debilitating, but also transformative, fascinating, and full of wonder, opportunity, and generative curiosity. 

Within therapy, I’m drawn to your stories. The stories you tell yourself, the stories you tell others, and the stories of the world around you. In these stories are the richness and depth that make us human, an essential element to therapy. My priority and effort will be towards being with you in your story, and to create a space and a relationship that is for you and no one else.

What am I doing?

I do not use structured cookie cutter frameworks nor quick solutions. I do not use textbook jargon that can feel intimidating and contrived. This field of therapy has a long lineage and history which has evolved into a specific culture of theories, interventions, and solutions, and while they are not irrelevant, I hope to expand what therapy could be, and what this space can mean beyond what we have understood it as in books, movies, media, and culture. 

Sometimes our lives, our society, our families, and our systems ask that we be machines like everyone else, regurgitating what everyone else is telling us to do. We are conditioned to disconnect from ourselves in order to function in this society. We are told constantly there’s only one version of ourselves that is acceptable. I fundamentally believe that we are not robots or machines, but human beings that are nuanced and layered. My attempt will be to question these systems and cultures, and build a space and relationship that goes beyond just “getting by” and “feeling better.”

Where am I?

I’m inspired by going beyond finding the “fix” or the “resolve.” Times like this I think of the Greek god Hermes, the messenger god who led souls to the underworld, also known as the psychopomp, and the only god who can travel between the under and over world. Hermes does not judge, nor does he save, but is merely a companion and guide through transitions in our lives. At times, life makes little to no sense, and the feelings of being lost and overwhelmed are sometimes the most prominent and authentic. My hope is to make this process more manageable. I aspire to be with you in your lostness, whatever that may be. 

“But I don’t want to go among mad people’, Alice remarked. ‘Oh you can’t help that’, said the Cat: ‘we’re all mad here.”
–Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Who am I?

I grew up in San Francisco, and moved to New York for undergrad, where I studied in an Individualized Studies program at NYU, concentrating on Marketing and Visual Media Studies. At that time, my interest in fashion sparked, and I interned and worked with a variety of fashion designers and companies. As fun and sometimes fabulous as it was, I began reflecting on my passions and interests, and was continuously drawn to relationships, the nuances of the human experiences, and the stories that we tell ourselves and each other. I wanted to go beyond the norms that we as a society have collectively accepted, and create a space in which we examine, question, and explore what it means to be human. 

I then moved back to San Francisco and studied at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where I received my Masters in Counseling Psychology. My experience has included community mental health organizations serving underprivileged individuals and public high school students in San Francisco. My experience has led me to build a practice that is catered to the individual experience. I strive to meet you where you are, and to work with you to develop a space that supports your needs, wherever that may be.

Principal Li: “Ms. Morgendorffer, where do you think you’re going?”

Daria: “Slowly insane, but I need to pop in at home first.”

– Glenn Eichler & Susie Lewis Lynn, Daria

Where to go from here? 

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