How I work

While my approach can shift depending on what’s happening in the room, I typically draw from the following three pillars: Somatic Psychology, Psychodynamic Theory and Mindfulness. Here’s a little about each of those…

Somatic

Therapy is thought of as a process that addresses our thoughts and emotions, or what I like to refer to as our “thinking body”. In this mind-centered world, it can be easy to forget that everything we experience- joy, fear, sadness, elation, trauma, etc is also very much felt in the body. What’s amazing is how these experiences can continue to live in our bodies for years, and sometimes without our awareness. Our bodies are constantly talking to us, and amzing things can happen when we start to listen. By utilizing a Somatic or body-based therapeutic approach, I may bring your attention to your physical experience (sensations, breathing, gestures) or use movement or objects in the room. Using a body awareness approach help us uncover old patterns that may be holding you back, allowing us to replace them with a more empowered and embodied you.

Psychodynamic

The Psychodynamic lens acknowledges that our early relationships and experiences influence and shape how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. These early influences are less conscious parts of us that may show up as undesirable patterns in our relationships, or feelings of anxiety or depression. Do I generally feel safe in this world? Do I feel seen and understood by others? How much hope do I feel about the future? Do I feel connected to myself, my energy, my vitality? The answers to these questions can change dramatically when we start to uncover how earlier experiences have shaped your world without your awareness or consent. In addition to gaining new insight, it is through the actual experience of a safe and strong therapeutic relationship that many of our painful past experiences can begin to feel deeply repaired.

Mindfulness

Ever heard the saying, “Life happens when you are busy making other plans?” It’s easy to jump from one thing to the next to the next to the next… and while we may have a nagging feeling that something doesn’t quite feel right, we often distract ourselves more to try to relieve the discomfort. The meditation world calls this 'the monkey mind’, jumping from vine to vine, unable to land and be still. Therapy offers a space to slow down and to witness ourselves from a different vantage point. It’s only when we become aware of ourselves, in this moment, without judgement, that we can start to create change and experience freedom from the suffering of the mind. Facilitating a mindful state truly has the power to return us to our bodies, our breath, our spaciousness and our steadiness.