“Wherever we are upon this path, it makes sense to make the next step.”
- Dr. Rick Hanson
You show up daily, giving your all – to your family, friends, work, and community. Yet, despite your efforts, past and present difficulties still weigh you down, keeping you from the life you want to live. You know it is time for a different way of doing life and relationships, and you desire specialized support to help you move through the blocks and the barriers that keep showing up.
Dr. Irv Yalom describes therapists and clients as “fellow travelers,” meaning therapy isn’t about an expert giving answers but about walking the journey together. I value this sentiment because I believe you are the expert on your own life. I join you and offer my support as you navigate the windy path toward your goals.
I take seriously the importance of creating a space where you can express yourself and build trust as you seek lasting solutions that have often felt out of reach.
“Deep down in the human spirit, there is a reservoir of courage. It is always available, always waiting to be discovered.”
-Pema Chödrön
Trauma, Anxiety, Depression and Difficult Life Experiences
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a way to understand the mind by seeing it as a system of different inner parts. We often say things like, “A part of me is afraid of roller coasters, but another part loves them,” or “I don’t like yelling at my partner, but a part of me gets so mad that I can’t stop.” Some of these parts protect us, while others carry wounds from past experiences—but none of them are bad. Each part plays an important role in keeping us functioning. However, sometimes parts develop extreme behaviors, such as addiction, excessive procrastination, anger, intense reliance on social media, overworking, or isolation, to name a few. Fortunately, at the core of every person is the Self—a stable, calm, compassionate, and wise presence that can never be damaged. When we learn to recognize and connect with our Self, we can develop a healthier relationship with our parts, bringing them into balance and fostering healing.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) promotes healing without re-traumatizing. It is a collaborative process between the clinician, the client, and the client’s memories. Through gentle interventions, we identify and address barriers that keep traumatic memories active in the brain. Once these blockages are reprocessed, the brain’s natural information-processing system can restore balance, reducing the emotional charge and hypervigilance of traumatic memories The traumatic memories are not erased but become less activating over time. This evidence-based approach has been used for nearly four decades, primarily for PTSD and trauma-related disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. I frequently provide adjunctive EMDR treatment to minors in partnership with child and adolescent therapists.
Havening Techniques ™
Havening Techniques are a newer method designed to help people overcome stress, anxiety, trauma and to develop skills for managing future stressful events. They use simple brain game techniques and gentle self-applied touch to calm the nervous system. Instead of relying on talking, Havening focuses on sensory experiences to shift mood, thoughts, and behavior. It’s not hypnosis—people stay fully aware and in control. Havening can also be used between therapy sessions to help with self-regulation and improve overall healing. Havening is also a powerful tool to support women preparing for labor and delivery.
Mindfulness and Positive Neuroplasticity
People used to believe that the brain couldn’t change after adulthood, but research in the past 40 years has proven otherwise. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections through mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. By using mindfulness and other positive techniques, we can train our brains to focus on the good, helping us feel calmer, stronger, and more resilient.