therapeutic

Approach

I believe that everyone has a protective system that is working really hard to keep them safe, so I approach therapy with curiosity of your system.

So often, we go to therapy with the goal of making a part of us (thoughts, behaviors, emotions) go away. I actually believe all parts of you are there for a reason, and they are all welcome. By working with your protective system instead of against it, we can get to the source of your trauma and help your protective system to soften back and integrate in a healthier way.

Compassionately Client-Centered

The number one rule for me is to start where you are at with compassion and curiosity. My office is a judgement-free zone. No part of you is shameful or embarrassing. No problem you have is silly or too big to handle. Every piece of you and what has happened to you is welcome in therapy, even the parts of you that don’t want to be at therapy. I always start where clients are, and while we have a plan of where to go, I hold it loosely, knowing that other things come up that we might need to discuss.  

Protective System Advocate

You’ll hear me say this line about 100 times while working with me, “I love that your system did that.” Did you get angry? Great! You have a part that is advocating for you. Are you feel unmotivated and distracted? That makes sense. If you don’t try, you can’t fail. I have so much appreciation for your protective system, and I want to advocate for it to keep doing its job. Now, this doesn’t mean that all behaviors are healthy or helpful. We will figure out healthier ways for your protective system to operate and still do its job.

Trauma Trained Provider

It is not about what’s wrong with you. It is about what happened to you. Your body and brain’s trauma response is biologically correct. I have a deep level of understanding and compassion for why people who have experienced trauma struggle with the things they do. I never look at people through the lens of a diagnosis or list of symptoms, rather you are a whole person who has experienced things that impacted how your brain and body experience the world. I want to help you begin to experience it differently.  

Whole Person Focused

Our mental health is not just contained in our brain. I believe that our mental health impacts our physical and spiritual health too. Our work will focus on somatic symptoms you are experiencing, as well as mental and emotional symptoms. As well, we can incorporate spirituality to the extent that you want to. Spirituality is simply how we make meaning of life and the world around us. For some that means a religion. For others it is a connection to nature or a high power. And still for others, spiritual practices are not an important piece of their lives. No matter what it means for you, know that how you make meaning out of what happened to you is an important part of your healing journey. I want to help you with that process.    


Frequently Asked

Questions

Do I have to have trauma in my life to work with you?

Absolutely not! While trauma is a focus of my practice, I see many other people who are dealing with other significant life changes, struggling to find purpose, grief and loss, OCD, anxiety, and more.  


Do I have to use EMDR or IFS if I work with you?

Nope! There are so many options of how to do therapy. The most improtant thing is that it meets your needs. If IFS and EMDR are not of interest to you, that is totally fine. We don’t have to use those approaches in order to see progress.

I’m not spiritual, are you going to make this weird?

I promise that spirituality will not be a part of our work unless you want it to be.  

Get in Touch

Don't stop here.

I know you don’t want to be stuck anymore. You are tired of the mental spirals, tension throughout your body, and never feeling at ease with life. You can move forward with your life and start to feel better. I can help. Schedule a free consultation below.