“…trauma is, by definition, among the fiercest and most destructive forms disorder can take. Trauma, either on an intimate or a collective scale, has the power to annihilate the self and shred the web of meanings that supports its existence. And yet…deep in the recesses of the human spirit, there is some instinct to rebuild the web of meanings with the same quiet determination we witness in the garden spider as it repairs the threads winds and weather have torn.”
Every individual is unique and has a different life story and series of experiences. Because of this, I will work with you taking into consideration your own personal history. Our work together is a collaborative and creative process. I view our sessions through the lens of my training, and have found an integration of these theories/therapies to be quite effective for people:
Psychodynamic theory takes into consideration the importance of your unconscious mind and the influence of your earliest developmental relationships on your current experience. One of the goals is to help you identify current feelings, and trace these feelings to historical experiences, which can greatly inform how and why you feel and act in the present. By growing insight about the formerly unknown, you may find a new sense of choice in your life, as well as relief on both personal and relational levels.
Humanistic theory means that I see you as a unique individual with constant potential. The potential for self-growth can be witnessed at any given point in life, even the most difficult and challenging times in our lives.
From a relational perspective, I help you to see interpersonal patterns in your life and to explore your tendencies informed by primary attachment style. Relational-informed psychotherapy is also an opportunity to identify how some of these same patterns may be played out within the client-therapist relationship. Self-disclosure and processing of these feelings within the therapeutic alliance can be exponentially healing in your interpersonal relationships.
From a Polyvagal theory perspective, we explore nervous system regulation. This theory is more structured and can help one map one’s own ventral vagal, sympathetic and dorsal vagal responses, which can be a helpful tool for daily coping with anxiety and depression symptoms.
Expressive Arts Therapies are the use of art, movement, role play or prose/poetry to help express your feelings with the healing quality of creativity. This method is process-oriented rather than product-oriented. It is very useful to generate new insights about yourself, and to get a more holistic view of your experience, as sometimes it cannot be captured by words alone
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) is the belief that we are all whole and contain self energy (when we feel clear, curious, confident, creative, calm, courageous, compassionate in our lives). It is a systems-oriented therapy, which means that different "parts" of yourself interact and can sometimes be at odds with other parts, creating internal tension, and separating you from your own self energy. IFS helps you to learn about and interact with these different internal parts, identify and relate to the stories and needs of the parts, and to release and heal emotional burdens that certain parts of you may have been holding.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): EMDR is a highly affective way to identify, “digest” and integrate trauma. As a result, traumatic material that at one point may have held high levels of emotional intensity, body discomfort, and need for immediate defenses is able to resolve. People consistently report feeling an increased feeling of lightness, calmness and increased understanding. This is a helpful treatment to bring mental/emotional and bodily worlds together. In short, people feel more whole and self-regulated.
Lifespan Integration Therapy: This modality is helpful to heal developmental trauma (trauma that tends to occur early in the lifespan, and affects one’s sense of self identity) by helping to connect the child self and bring it into safety with the adult self.
Neuroaffective Relational Model (NARM): This model highlights the importance of client agency, explores the interplay of desired feeling states versus blockages that may arise, and helps track neurobiological shifts during the process.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): This model is derived from Chinese Medicine, and involves self-tapping acupressure points on the body. It is used primarily in the treatment of anxiety and physical pain.
Upon our first meeting, we will work together to understand some of the initial reasons that you are seeking therapy.
I have nearly two decades of experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings with diverse populations.
My practice is currently full but I accept new clients on a case by case basis or referrals.