Emotional & Financial
Wellbeing Go Hand-in-Hand
Managing money is so much
more than math.
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Unhelpful Behaviors
Self sabotage, impulsive spending, and avoiding your finances are just a few ways to stay stuck financially
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Underlying Beliefs
Your core beliefs about money, yourself, and the world can greatly impact your finances
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Difficult Emotions
Worry, fear, guilt, shame, frustration are common emotions that play a role in your relationship with money
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Harmful Relational Dynamics
Your relationships with others (and to yourself) are also connected to your financial situation
What is Financial Therapy?
The financial therapy association (FTA) started in 2008 (see: recession, housing market crash) after several individuals who had already been instrumental in addressing emotions and behavior related to finances, came together for an in-person forum to determine whether an official new field should be started. From there, the FTA was born, increasing awareness and providing education to further these services within both the therapeutic and financial advising communities. I operate within the code of ethics of the FTA, which you can find here
Is financial therapy for me?
Financial therapy addresses the problematic patterns that negatively impact your finances and your ability to manage money. We often think that knowledge or discipline is the key to fixing our finances— and while these can be an important part of the solution, without addressing your internal experience around money, and figuring out why you do what you do with money, these fixes frequently fall flat and will do you little good. The foundation of financial therapy is helping you understand what’s really going on with “you and money” so that we can address the real problem. We’ll build a framework of understanding how your beliefs, your emotions, your relationships with yourself/others/the world, and your behaviors all intersect together to create the dynamics of how you relate to money. I use a trauma-informed and systems-based approach to reduce the financial shame that is often present when someone believes that “I am bad with money”. Together, we work collaboratively to find creative strategies for the emotional distress and behavioral difficulties that you are experiencing around to money.
Additionally, financial therapy can also include creating a vision to align your finances with your values. We can also look at your specific numbers to create an intentional spending and saving plan that works for you. Finally I will provide you with additional resources to support you on your financial journey, including gaining more financial literacy if needed. Health insurance will not cover these areas. If you would like to include these things as part of your treatment, it will be an out-of-pocket cost.
Financial therapy is not…
A treatment for gambling addiction.
It is not Financial Advising. I am not a financial advisor or a certified financial planner. I will not be making any financial decisions for you or giving you any specific financial advise. I can help you navigate your anxiety about financial planning and personal financial, and give you resources and information to get you connected with a CFP who’s right for you.
I will not be overhauling your finances, shaming you into changing, or giving you a ridiculously strict budget to live on. I am here to guide and support you to help you decide what is financially best for your entire wellbeing.
