Areas of Focus
Relational Health and Well-being for Adults
I firmly believe all clients have the potential to have relationships and lives that are deeply meaningful - both with friendships and significant others. Healing often involves looking at the relationship we have with ourselves, as well as the relational patterns we have with others. It can also mean understanding and healing nervous system responses that are no longer supporting what you want in life or in relationships. Difficulties developing healthy relationships can be shaped by many things:, trauma, chronic stress, and our childhood relational experiences. Anxiety, depression, and relational challenges are all signals that you may need support. The good news is - profound change can happen. You can learn to move beyond managing yourself and begin to feel better.
Early/Childhood Trauma
Early trauma (between birth and the age of 5) does not typically get coded into the memories of our minds, but rather is stored in the body in somatic responses to various situations. For more on early trauma, click here. Research is also finding that these experiences are coded into the brainstem vs into higher levels of the brain (where many therapy modalities are focused). This early brainstem response can remain untouched by other trauma therapies; the conscious brain, then, remains controlled by our subconscious brain, allowing us to be derailed by negative self beliefs, high anxiety, depression and a defensive stance in the world. I work with all ages to heal the earliest trauma experiences. The modalities I use to work with this are Deep Brain Reorienting and Transforming Touch®. (Click on these for more information.)
Here are some possible signs you may have early trauma: 1) Past therapy has been unsuccessful, 2) Difficulty trusting/relational difficulties, 3) Identity confusion/disconnected from self, 4) Low self worth, 5) Self destructive/risky behaviors, 6) Deep feelings of aloneness, 7) Chronic illness/Chronic pain, 8) Perfectionism, 9) Eating Disorders, 10) Addictions, 13) Patterns of collapse/avoidance around things that feel hard.
Developmental and Trauma Therapy for Children
Children often show their distress in difficult behaviors - anxiety, meltdowns, avoidance, lying, difficulties in school, regression in skills, withdrawal, etc In therapy, we will use play, EMDR, Transforming Touch, or other nervous system supports to improve social emotional capacities and support developmental growth. I work closely with parents to support ways to help children in the home and at school. And, I help parents look underneath behavior to better understand the responses of their child.
Parenting Support
I believe parenting is the hardest job on earth. Parents want the best for their kids and desire a positive relationship with them. Family therapy may include parent-child play, working on understanding and co-regulating emotions, increasing awareness of relational patterns, supporting shared problem-solving, increasing a sense of safety in relationships, developing effective communication and healing trauma. I use methods that are attachment-focused and support connection and social-emotional development. We can work together to develop strong relational bonds.
Nervous System Support through Music
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an auditory intervention designed to reduce stress and emotional reactivity, while enhancing social engagement and resilience. Emotional and physiological states are important to how we engage with the world. Backed by over 40 years of research, the SSP can help inattentiveness, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, and auditory sensitivities. For some clients, the SSP provides an additional therapy option that can enhance therapeutic progress. When a person has better state control, not only can they be more socially engaged, they are more responsive in therapy and outcomes are often achieved more quickly.
Therapist Supervision
I have completed extensive supervision training through Noeticus Training Institute and have completed all of the requirements for the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) accreditation. I take a developmental approach and specialize in attachment, trauma, neuroscience, child development and early trauma.. I focus on the development of the whole clinician - including therapist use of self, risk management, ethics, reflective practice, and administration, as well as supporting knowledge around the clinical aspects of cases. I often use experiential methods to deepen the learning and to support a more embodied understanding.
Start With a Free Consultation
I provide a free 20 minute consultation to answer any questions you may have about my practice. Let’s explore working together.