My Approach
I am a believer in the human experience and normalizing the suffering that is a part of that experience. I do not take a pathological approach to individuals' mental health. I believe you will suffer within your lifetime and that we can work together to build your capacity for resilience. That being said I understand that some individuals have a chemical imbalance, or may experience psychosis if that is the case we can work together to take the proper steps for your health. Presently I work with children from ages four and up, adolescents, young adults, and adults.
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
I am able to provide trauma relief therapy via the modality of Somatic Experiencing. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a trauma-focused approach created by Peter Levine, PhD. SE utilizes nervous system regulation and the release of somatically stored trauma through sensation, images, behaviors, emotions, and meanings.
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Trauma is not limited to "BIG T" traumas such as automobile accidents, assaults, mental abuse, and neglect. The most common trauma is called "developmental trauma." Developmental trauma can progress due to messages our families, and communities taught us from young ages.
Common signs that you are experiencing trauma: You're a people pleaser, you hate hugging, you can't say no or you say no too much, you like to "fix" people, you shut down during confrontation, you become explosive during confrontation, you have no tolerance for people with different beliefs than yours, when driving you arrive at your destination but do not remember the drive, you have a hard time concentrating, you struggle with unexplainable gastrointestinal (GI)/migraine/or joint pain, you have been diagnosed with a personality disorder, anxiety, depression, OCD or PTSD.
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I am currently taking my final steps to complete my SEP (somatic experiencing practitioners certificate). I have completed all the trainings and am finishing my clinical hours.
Reality, Experiential, & Child Centered Play Therapy
Reality Therapy was developed by William Glasser, PhD. This approach focuses more on the human condition of suffering and less on pathology. Reality therapy encourages you to acknowledge your ability to respond to experiences and to make value-oriented choices.
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Experiential Therapy is an approach to counseling that utilizes tools, activities, art, role-play, music, and, possibly outings. A common way to think about Experiential Therapy is to think of it as the interventions we use in our sessions.
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Finally, I provide Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) for young children.
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My approaches to therapy are empirically proven or evidence-based-approaches.