What’s your Story? What I Do
Honestly, I just love people but for the sake of formality:
o Individual Psychotherapy – just plain old therapy!
o Family Therapy
o Crisis Management/ Intervention
o Case Management
o Mental health Advocacy
In-home therapy sessions offered if treatment dictates.
Relational Therapy Relational Neuroscience
Safe, loving relationships are the biggest agent to change. Period. I can teach you mindfulness techniques, anti-anxiety stress relief, breathing modalities, and communications tactics – but the thing that will matter the most is the relationship we build and share together – with each other. That is the greatest catalyst to change. Our lives are shaped by the relationships we have – in our early years – with others and ourselves. Bringing in science and interpersonal neurobiology shows us that we are shaped, and are who we are in relation to others. Our brains are hardwired to connect – and through these connections we are either broken or healed. Annie Rogers said, “Whatever is broken in a relationship, is healed in a relationship” and we know this through neuroplasticity and the amazing capacity the brain has to heal through loving and intimate connections.
Resources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-interpersonal-neurobiology-2337621
Trauma (PTSD + C-PTSD)
The effects of trauma can be devastating. PTSD symptoms typically come about from short lived or “Shock trauma” – and can be displayed in a variety of symptoms such as nightmares, hypervigilance, anxiety, depression, etc. Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) comes from a more prolonged and chronic exposure to traumatic stress – such as sexual, physical, emotional abuse – neglect, complicated attachment history, grief and loss, and much more. C-PTSD affects a person’s entire concept of self, how they view the world, manage and build relationships, and conceptualize security and safety.
These painful wounds can lead to further re-traumatization, substance use, and mental and physical health concerns.
Navigating a painful life story can be scary and confusing. Through mind and heart coherence, compassion, and the understanding that the nervous system created means of coping and is adaptive instead of diseased – we can slowly start to shed layers of shame, and cultivate a more balanced autonomic nervous system. I am realistic when I tell you that some wounds will always elicit difficult emotions, and sometimes we cannot change that. But we can make sense of it and create a more manageable life.
*Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) was founded by Francine Shapiro and helps individuals find relief from overwhelming life experiences that are manifesting in present day triggers. By bringing up upsetting memories and their negative beliefs – accompanied by directed lateral eye movements (or other stimuli such as hand tapping or audio sounds) and held in the loving presence of the therapeutic dyad memories and the accompanying thoughts, feelings, and emotions are “reprocessed” to create more adaptive stories and lower distress.
The healing and relief that some of my clients have experienced have been nothing short of miraculous.
I am a certified EMDR therapist through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
Resources:
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is an often misunderstood condition that most people think starts and ends in childhood. The neurodivergent mind accesses and holds information, process stimuli, attention, and emotions differently than the neurotypical counterpart. This makes for a lot of misunderstanding, difficult relationships, and frustration – which adds layers of shame, anxiety, and depression on to the everyday struggles.
Through education, understanding, and coaching we can make all these “deficits” into flourishing and unique parts to be cherished.
*ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)
Resources:
Culinary Art Therapy
Using cooking in therapy is an innovative and calming modality to treatment. I love to cook and I love stories – what better way to experience both then while doing therapy! Check out a little more about how this works through the resources below.
Resources:
https://thejewishnews.com/2021/04/27/culinary-art-therapy-taps-into-cooking-to-make-connections/
https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/28/health/sw-culinary-arts-therapy-cooking/index.html
Walk and Talk Therapy
Sometimes sitting in the office can get old and mundane. Walk and talk therapy is a great way to change the atmosphere, get a few steps in, and take in the clean fresh air while walking outside. It’s amazing how much richer the stories can become when sharing them in nature. Through this practice we also incorporate mindfulness, storytelling, and continue to build the therapeutic bond to foster new ways of healing.
Resources:
https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/magazine/article/2407/walk-and-talk