Therapeutic Approach
The core issue in trauma is one’s reality. When reality is ruptured the body changes, now in a state of anticipation and hypervigilance, or its many other manifestations, and out of presence. Through Somatic Experiencing, my work recenters the present moment and the many resources of the body, through the skills of titration, reprocessing, sensation and activation tracking, and regulation. By staying present with the body we can understand its natural reactions and find moments where new choice points can be accessed. The heart of my work is my heart, my love for humanity and the desire for ongoing systematic changes. Care and love is at the center of my work. My work begins with individual healing but expands beyond individual care to family and system based care. In conjunction with a somatic lens, I utilize a parts work and system based lens. Understanding the many parts of ourselves allows for new access points. I am a collaborative and curious being, who is inspired by authenticity, honesty and compassion.
“The trauma narrative is important for the recovery and healing of the trauma survivor. This narrative includes more than the verbal recall of events and emotions; it reaches deeper into our physiological system and can potentially wreak havoc on our overall well-being if healing has yet to occur.” (Nurturing Resilience, Kathy Kain). Together we will build a somatic narrative to begin the healing process. This narrative will be directed by you, I will be there to witness and guide your healing.
Mission Statement
Somatic Experiencing (SEI) resolves symptoms of stress, shock, and trauma that accumulate in our bodies. Through trauma, we experience changes that disrupt the body’s way of relating to our life. Through somatic experiencing and polyvagal theory, we can focus to reroute the Nervous System’s response to stress. “When we are stuck in patterns of fight, flight, or freeze, Somatic therapy helps to release, recover, and become more resilient.” (Somatic Experiencing International)
what is somatic therapy?
Tracking physical experiences
We will track your physical sensations, feelings, thoughts, and images
Using Techniques
We will develop techniques and strategies like touch, movement, and meditation to help you feel more present in your bodies
EXPLORING PHYSICAL COMFORT
You will begin to feel physical support and experience your boundaries in a safe space
our work together
You are the authority on your experiences! My role as your therapist is to support your processing around these experiences and create systems of regulation, accountability and healing. I utilize a relational lens, and therefore each session looks different based upon the client’s needs and experiences. Together we will build from your unique understanding of the world, the strengths and insights you possess and work through experiences that feel difficult to manage alone. I am inspired by authenticity and genuine connection and I move through the world with a collaborative and curious spirit. My work is rooted in integrity, care and love. I offer a non-judgemental space. I create a space of mutual respect and trust. I am here to honor and witness your path, providing safety physically, mentally and energetically.
I am a somatic practitioner and within the therapeutic process I move with a trauma informed relational lens to help clients work through experiences and learn to listen more deeply to their bodies. The work I do somatically helps to re-route the nervous system and its responses, and to recover from traumatic experiences. Through skills of energetic boundaries, titration, and reprocessing, we will work to re-route the nervous system from a state of fight/flight, or freeze/fawn to a state of rest and digestion. I believe embodiment to be a crucial piece of healing work. Often we are stuck reanimating old wounds before we can properly understand them, learning to regulate the nervous system creates access to deeper healing, understanding of self and one’s connection to intuition. The goal of my work is to reconnect you to a sense of autonomy and self trust.
I offer sessions at varied lengths ranging from 50-90 minutes to fit your needs and work within a sliding scale. My sessions tend to use a somatic focus, as well as other mechanisms of talk therapy and art therapy, as a creative person myself. Creativity becomes a large part of the work I do. I offer a free 15-30 minute consultation call to see if it feels like a good fit for you. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
To me, the most important thing is to care for and love one another. My work is rooted in care and love for humanity and the goal of betterment of our society as a whole, starting with the way we treat ourselves. I orient clients’ to their unique value systems and sense of integrity and dignity, utilizing these tools to nurture resilience and growth.
I will create a treatment plan with you that prioritizes growth and healing at a pace that is manageable for you and your body. This pacing helps to build sustainable systems. In the plan we will discuss your unique value system and organize strategies that keep you in alignment with your values. We can build a history map or trauma map, as well as a genogram, to reflect upon where you’ve come from and how this may affect where you are headed.
We’ll work together to build somatic tools that provide relief in the present moment, as well as the long term. We will focus on regulation and meaning making throughout the process.
We will work to create a relationship together that feels good for us both. It’s important that you can be honest and have this space be what you need. I want to ensure there is safety physically, emotionally and energetically in our relationship.
We’ll start where you’re at, and I’ll never push you to talk about something before you’re ready. Safety is the priority when we’re working together.
Clients tell me that I’m easy to talk to, and that I feel genuine and warm. I work from my heart. It’s important to me that I provide a safe and connecting space where you can explore, learn, feel, and ultimately heal within. This work is often serious and profound but I encourage lightness, humor and fun in our connection as well.