Specialties

Trauma treatment: Trauma therapy is a specialized form of treatment aimed at helping individuals cope with traumatic experiences by utilizing various methodologies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), in which I have been trained. As we mindfully approach resilience-building, we will begin to be able to focus on symptom management, the development of coping skills, and fostering a path toward healing, ultimately supporting individuals in transcending the impacts of trauma.

I hold credentials in trauma-informed therapy treatment, in which I emphasize a safe environment and the use of evidence-based techniques to aid in healing and resilience-building. Somatic techniques and inner-child reconnection are also explored as entry points into parts, shadow, re-parenting, and reintegration work.

LGBTQ+ populations: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, my mission is to provide an affirming and inclusive space where individuals can explore their identities, navigate challenges, and foster resilience. I commit to advocating for the rights and dignity of all LGBTQ+ individuals while offering compassionate, culturally competent, and evidence-based services which promote mental wellness and empower clients to embrace their authentic selves.

I am committed to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, creating an inclusive space that acknowledges their unique challenges and promotes identity exploration and acceptance. 

Nervous system resilience/regulation work: Therapy sessions can significantly enhance our nervous system resilience and regulation by providing a supportive environment to explore emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Through techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and somatic practices, I endeavor to help individuals become more aware of their physiological responses to stress and teach coping mechanisms to regulate their emotional state. Additionally, our work fosters a therapeutic relationship that can promote safety and validation, empowering individuals to process trauma and learn healthier ways to respond to stressors, ultimately strengthening their resilience and adaptivity over time.

Somatic practices: Our sessions can serve as a valuable platform for learning somatic practices, such as mindfulness, breathwork, and body awareness, which help clients connect with their physical sensations and emotions. I have been trained to be able to guide clients through these practices, enabling them to understand and release stored tension or trauma. Carrying these practices into daily life involves integrating mindful moments—like taking deep breaths (i.e.box breathing with longer exhales) during stressful situations or using body scans to check in with one’s physical state (grounding)—into routine activities, which fosters greater self-awareness and emotional regulation. This ongoing practice can lead to reduced anxiety, improved emotional resilience, and a deeper connection to one's body, ultimately enhancing overall well-being.

Connecting to our body through somatic work, building a resilient nervous system, and dialectical therapy, enhances our daily lives by fostering greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and physical well-being. Engaging in these practices helps individuals develop a deeper understanding of their bodily sensations and emotions, enabling them to respond more thoughtfully and deliberately to stressors and challenges. This integrated approach can improve posture, reduce tension, and promote mindfulness, leading to healthier habits and better coping mechanisms in everyday situations.

Connecting to the physical body is key to deep healing and emotional processing. I.e. “hip openers,” and other body movement practices can significantly benefit mental health by facilitating the discharge of physical tension stored in the body and promoting powerful release and relaxation. Engaging in these movements encourages mindfulness, helps release stored emotions, and enhances body awareness, contributing to overall emotional well-being. Incorporating body-centric therapies, like yoga or dance, can foster a stronger mind-body connection, leading to reduced stress and improved mental clarity. Movement is medicine. We will circle back to the holistic aspect of our healing work time and again.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy: Psychodynamic therapy is a form of psychotherapy which aims to address emotional distress by exploring the psychological processes underlying a client's experiences. This approach helps clients improve mental health symptoms, navigate interpersonal issues, and focus on their strengths and goals, ultimately leading to more fulfilling lives. Through the therapeutic alliance between patient and therapist, clients engage in self-reflection and examine problematic relationship patterns, behaviors, and beliefs. Areas including transference, free association, and open-ended questions to evaluate thoughts and behaviors, uncover unconscious processes, and identify recurring themes from past experiences will be explored. We will also consider distressing thoughts, the development of defense mechanisms, and the exploration of emotional roots of suffering that may be at play.

Together, we will form a co-collaborative approach to explore unconscious motivations and processes, fostering self-awareness and address any emotional distress's root causes. Shadow and parts work along with reintegration and Jungian insights may be indicated along with re-parenting, dream analysis, work with the subconscious, and strengthening ones window of tolerance and awareness.

Pet Loss/Grief: I provide a compassionate, safe, validating space for clients to express their grief, emphasizing the bond with a pet can be deeply profound and that such losses can evoke intense emotions similar to those experienced with human loss - sometimes even more intense. I endeavor to help the person articulate their feelings, normalize their grief, and explore the unique relationship they shared with their pet, reinforcing that their pain is legitimate and worthy of attention. By employing therapeutic techniques such as narrative therapy or grief counseling, I can assist the individual in processing their emotions, honoring their pet’s memory. We can find ways to cope with their loss, ultimately fostering healing and understanding in a world that may not fully recognize the significance of pet loss and these unique, unconditional, and incredibly deep bonds.

Ehler’s-Danlos Syndrome, HSD, and other hypermobile and connective tissue disorders: Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pain management techniques, can be incredibly beneficial for some individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and other connective tissue disorders. Interventions can serve to help with chronic pain, improve emotional resilience, and enhance overall quality of life. As a fellow Zebra and Ehler’s-Danlos Society Directory Provider, I can uniquely provide support in navigating the emotional challenges associated with living with a chronic systemic condition, such as pain, anxiety, and depression, whilst also teaching adaptive strategies to manage pain and mobility limitations. Additionally, physical therapy can help improve strength and functional mobility, while occupational therapy can assist in modifying daily tasks to better suit individual capabilities, thus enabling a more independent lifestyle. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques may also be employed to reduce stress and manage pain perception (survival mode), ultimately fostering a more positive outlook and enhancing daily functioning. Please feel free to ask me about the importance and role of survival mode feedback loops, and how we can increase bottom/up safety cues and proprioception signals to our brain.

Chronic Pain/Illness: Mental health counseling can provide essential support for individuals dealing with chronic pain and illness by offering coping strategies, emotional regulation, and cognitive restructuring to help manage the psychological distress associated with their condition. Inside the therapy room, clients can express their feelings, explore the impact of their illness on daily life, and develop resilience through coping mechanisms tailored to their unique experiences. Outside the therapy room, counseling can empower individuals by equipping them with skills to advocate for their needs, improve communication with healthcare providers, and foster social support. Ultimately, all of which enhances their overall quality of life and assists in navigating the complexities of living with chronic conditions, whether visible or invisible.

Narcissistic abuse: As a psychotherapist, I can provide crucial support to individuals coping with the effects of narcissistic abuse, which often includes trauma, low self-esteem, control (from financial to social) and difficulty in establishing healthy relationships. These challenges may manifest as anxiety, depression, and trust issues. Interventions can include cognitive-behavioral therapy to reframe negative thought patterns, trauma-informed therapy to process past experiences, and skills training for setting boundaries and improving communication. Additionally, group therapy or support groups can foster a sense of community, helping individuals realize they are not alone in their struggles. Through empathy, validation, and structured guidance, empowerment, and tangible confidence-building I am dedicated to empowering clients to heal and reclaim their self-worth and independence. Individuals will learn to again trust their intuition and their intellect, solidifying the reality that there are options, they are believed, and there is always hope.