Therapuetic Approach
A Systems Approach:
When working with clients, I maintain the awareness that people are part of a larger system (global, societal, and familial) and that individuals cannot be fully understood in isolation from one another. This perspective, when applied to individual clients, may involve an exploration of family history, financial upbringing, race, and ethnicity as they pertain to present-day subject matter. With couples, partners, and families, it will be used as a way to dynamically address issues in therapy and assist individuals in understanding one another.
A Whole Person Approach:
In addition to talk therapy, I value integrating all aspects of a client's experience by using a variety of mindfulness techniques. This includes working with breath, visualization, bodily sensations, and bilateral stimulation. It is easy to rely on our rational mind to make sense of our experiences in life. While that can be very helpful, it is also important to access all the centers of the brain as well as the body. In fact, so much is stored in the body! Utilizing these tools can facilitate a whole-person experience in a therapeutic setting. When something is processed through this approach, lasting and transformative change can occur.
Client-Centered Relational Approach:
Establishing a comfortable and trusting relationship between clients and the therapist is very important when creating an environment for healing and introspection to occur. From the moment we make contact, I am aware that it takes courage and a willingness to be vulnerable in order to engage in therapy. It my intention to create a place where acceptance is paramount and trust can be earned. I am incredibly open to feedback and invite an ongoing dialogue regarding how therapy is unfolding.
Therapeutic Modalities Â
Eye Movement Desensitization andprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched therapeutic approach that has proven effective for treating trauma. This comprehensive method employs standardized protocols that integrate various therapeutic techniques. In my practice, I have witnessed EMDR help clients alleviate psychological stress, enabling them to reduce symptoms and experience greater freedom in their lives. Additionally, EMDR fosters positive connections in the brain and body, enhancing overall daily functioning.
Family Systems Theory In my work with clients, I recognize that everyone is part of a larger system, and individuals cannot be completely understood in isolation. When working with individual clients, this perspective often involves exploring their family history. In sessions with partners and families, it serves as a framework for dynamically addressing issues within therapy.
Family and Couple/Partners Therapy Approach
I approach family and partner therapy from a family systems perspective. Family systems theory, introduced by Dr. Murray, suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another. Families and partnerships can be comprised in a multitude of ways and are systems of interconnected and interdependent individuals, none of whom can be understood in isolation from system. I refer to both families of origin and chosen families. All family members have implicit as well as explicit roles that occur in any given interaction an attempt to keep the family at equilibrium. Often, we grow up filling important roles that our family needs in order to run smoothly, and we may need to fill these roles to get personal needs met or to survive. These roles, which are established quite early in life, continue with us as adults and often dictate how we present ourselves in the world and relate in our intimate relationships. Although this process can be organic in its function to help humans survive, it can also be limiting as we grow and develop beyond certain roles. Additionally, certain family systems contain abuse, harm, and/or neglect that can be harmful to explore with all family members and liberating choose not to explore.
Therapeutic Results: Therapeutically, it can be very empowering for families and couples/partners to examine how they function as a system and how they may unconsciously engage in patterned responses while also celebrating the contributions each individual adds to the whole. From a place of curiosity, acceptance, and consent, partners and families are invited to explore and consciously choose how they would like to be in their relationships. I have found this process to be extremely helpful in creating lasting change regarding painful behaviors and deeply gratifying for clients.
Visualization & Mindfulness
Trained as a Contemplative Psychotherapist, I place value on slowing down enough to be able to witness ones own process. This can be a very subtle shift in behavior but profound in its long-term effects. In a therapy session I may use visualization, and body awareness techniques to create the space for this to occur. In addition the approach of applying awareness upon insights as well as unconscious behaviors is encouraged
Comprehensive Pregnancy and Birth Therapy
The process of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood is a deeply transformative time in a pregnant person's life. Our culture readily prepares pregnant individuals and their support people for the physiology of pregnancy and birth, but it often falls short of addressing the incredible psychological components that this unique time holds. In my practice, I offer in-depth services regarding this period, as well as into parenthood, catering to the specific needs of my clients. I focus on embracing the joys and fears of pregnancy and birth, strengthening the baby/parent connection in utero, enhancing communication between expecting parents, and utilizing aspects of the EMDR protocol to build internal resources and prepare for birth. Additionally, I use EMDR to process previous births in order to create a clear pathway for subsequent children to be born. This work is incredibly inspiring and rich. I have been honing this area of my practice for the past 10 years and have seen amazing transformations occur. In addition to working with pregnancy and birth, I also assist with the adoption process, which is equally intense and transformative.