SERVICES
My work with my clients is sacred.
My work with clients is sacred. It is my aim to honor each person and to offer a compassionate container for all that arises in our work together. In partnership with each client, I help facilitate a discussion around past celebrations and challenges as well as future goals without any judgement, shame, blame, or sense of right or wrong. If a client chooses, we can discuss ways that he/she/they can learn more about nonviolent communication (NVC) in order to enhance self-connection and connection with others in everyday situations.
Psychotherapy
Below is a list of some of the problems and concerns that individuals bring to therapy. This is by no means a comprehensive list. Rather this gives you an idea of some of the issues I address.
Attachment and how it plays out in relationships - by early childhood our attachment style is set. This guides us and shapes how we show up in relationships; with friends, with colleagues and with intimate partners. Are your relationships not working for you? We can examine this together.
Behavior change support - whether it’s managing money better or learning to trust your intuition, we can examine where you are with regard to the behavior you want to change and help you move forward toward your growth edge.
Parenting challenges - “If we value our children, we must cherish their parents.” - John Bowlby
Are you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated in response to your child’s / children’s behavior? Are you needing some relief? We can work together to deepen your connection with yourself and with your child / children, in order to bring more fun and ease in the parenting realm.
Conflict with: family of origin / chosen family / intimate partner / general interpersonal conflict
While conflict is normal, it’s very challenging. Let’s join together to utilize the “language of the heart” – nonviolent communication / compassionate communication – to deconstruct the issues at hand and to increase self connection and connection with others.
Anxiety and depression - 1 in 5 Americans experience a challenge related to mental health each year. If you are noticing any shifts in your mood and/or sleeping/eating patterns it’s important to get support right away.
Grief and loss - Grief and loss is a natural part of a long life, and is made easier with support along the way. I can easily support you through the challenges of the grief and loss process.
Stress management - Life is stressful nowadays and stress management is more important than ever. Let’s talk more about how you can achieve the life balance you deserve.
Life transitions - New job? Job loss? Recent move? New baby? While some of these situations are chosen and positive in nature, they fall into the category of change or transition, which can be stressful. If your recent life transition has triggered concerning symptoms or patterns we can examine how to get you back on track.
Feldenkrais Method for Enhanced Somatic and Emotional Functional Capacity
I am currently in the Feldenkrais Training at the Feldenkrais Institute of Ann Arbor (FIAA). It's a 4-year 800 hour program that began in 2023. Feldenkrais has two "arms" - Awareness Through Movement (ATM) and Functional Integration (FI). While one can argue that the Feldenkrais Method has several benefits, it largely allows a person to release entrenched neuromuscular patterns that no longer serve the mind or body. I am already integrating core principles of the Feldenkrais method into my talk therapy sessions until I can begin the somatic interventions.
Therapeutic Influence: Raising awareness and awakening healing opportunities with 3 approaches
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP)
In my sessions with clients, I hold space for healing by helping them develop the skills to mindfully sit with, notice and describe any emotional pain. Together we notice what is coming up in any given moment and through the awareness of the body and how feelings and sensations are stored in the body clients can heal their emotional wounds and release stuck energy patterns.
Like in other body awareness therapies (like Feldenkrais, Essential Somatics, Yoga, etc.), we slow down in the session and notice what is coming up in the body, or the “soma”. However, unlike in other modalities, our focus is on noticing what is coming up in the body in the present moment through a psychotherapeutic lens rather than a somatic one; we might call it body psychotherapy, or embodied psychotherapy.
It is through this heightened awareness and paying attention in a specific way that allows clients to heal different layers of their psyche. By using their sensory ability to observe, learn, listen, and touch in with a part of the psyche that needs healing, they can shift things by gaining new information about the injury causing the emotional symptoms that are presenting themselves in the session and also perhaps a method of releasing the energy around those wounded parts.
This meditative awareness is very important in the sensorimotor psychotherapeutic modality.
Internal Family Systems
Another treatment modality that I utilize is Internal Family Systems (IFS). IFS allows my clients to get in touch with the “parts of themselves”, or subpersonalities that make up what might be referred to as their “internal family” within the fascinating greater human psyche. Through mindfulness, clients can take on the growth-oriented challenge of discovering who is showing up and why in any given moment, and then, with childlike curiosity explore each “part’s” feelings and needs. This is also a guided awareness exercise and shifts information about self from the subconscious to the conscious mind.
Nonviolent Communication
This technique can support your communication in all of your relationships, starting with your primary relationship...the one with yourself!
When our universal human needs are met (such as connection, safety, to be heard, etc.), we are happier and able to thrive. Nonviolent communication is the language of the heart and it is through this language that we can tease out our feelings and needs in any given moment. By pausing and paying attention to their internal experience, clients can gain clarity and shed light on their present state and begin to explore what strategies they might utilize to meet their needs.
My Purpose - facilitation of greater connection to self and others
I believe that every being is connected and that we all deserve happiness and freedom. In that we are all connected, it is in our best interest to lift each other up into vibrant health and wellness; a space in which we can thrive and possibly consider how our thoughts and actions have the potential to contribute to the greater good of all. I see my role as that of a partner who can collaboratively work side by side with clients as they work toward thriving in mind, body, and spirit.
While I define myself as a Holistic Body Awareness Psychotherapist, I want to honor that we all walk a different path. For example, not everyone is ready to live their life without the aid of psychotropic medications and I want to offer the reassurance that I would respect and support each client wherever he/she/they happen to be on their healing journey. Everyone is welcome in my practice!
How I practice
I see my role as that of a collaborative partner with whom my clients can walk their healing journeys. Using mindfulness-based techniques I facilitate a clients’ connection with him/her/their self through somatic experience (SP), through parts work (IFS), and through nonviolent communication (NVC) / Compassionate Communication.
The most important thing is that after one or two sessions with me you feel like I am a safe enough person with whom you can settle back and walk your healing journey. Some in-session interventions may include:
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Talk therapy
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Diaphragmatic breathing exercises
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Relaxation exercises
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Guided imagery
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Visualization
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Meditation
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Mindfulness and Mindful movement
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Somatic / Body awareness exercises
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Aromatherapy (essential oils)
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Flower Essences (vibrational medicine)
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Creative Therapies (art, games, etc.)
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Nature Connection
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Exploration of Spirituality
