My Approach

Licensed Somatic Counselor, trained in Whole-Brained methods:

the Behavior Narrative, including Expressive Therapies (Family Constellation work, Hakomi Experiential Therapy, Open Chair Dialog, SandPlay, & Expressive Exercises) and Belief Work (CBT & Psych-K); Trauma Therapies for Significant Life Events, Health Challenges, & Relationships (EMDR & BrainSpotting); Stress & Nervous System Regulation, New Response Blueprints, & Communication Skills.

Somatic Psychotherapy, working with the Behavior Narrative:

Because 93% of communication is nonverbal, we're potentially missing the bulk of available interpersonal information with talk therapy alone - AND -expressive therapies allow us to see externally what's held internally and come up with workable solutions.

That's why Somatic Psychotherapy, integrating body sensory experience and behavior awareness with mental-emotional exploration, is so effective. The goal is not to just release what has been pent-up (especially challenging emotional states such as anxiety, depression, anger, & grief). Instead, by providing a range of available experiences that permit adults, partners, & families to get curious in a way that meets their interests and life stages, we can uncover and transform the unconscious dialog. With awareness, the Behavior Narrative can become a choice.

Methods

Brain Development over Time

As Children, we primarily use hands-on experiences, rather than mental/verbal processing in order to make sense of life events - seeing outside of ourselves concerns that are inside. Physical expression, with constructive materials, expressive activities, and a curious mind helps foster a more right-brained exploration of what may not be understood cognitively, nor stated verbally at any age.

Starting around 12 years of age, we additionally develop a more left-brained capacity for critical thinking skills, which includes problem-solving and the ability to reflect on ourselves more verbally. From research, we now know that life experiences create a network of interconnected brain habits that become our "go-to" unconscious response to what feels like a similar life experience (Hebb's Axiom below). Our relationships not only reinforce these habits, but also trigger them with ongoing interaction.

By identifying hidden dynamics and creating opportunities to experience/see them in new ways with available information from both sides of the brain, we may develop alternate strategies to implement out in the world and begin to shift the patterning.

Methods for Adults, Partners, and Families:

Expressive Therapies - Family Constellation work, Hakomi Experiential Therapy, Open Chair Dialog, SandPlay, & Expressive Exercises

Belief Work - CBT and Psych-K to transform negative belief habits

Trauma Work - EMDR, and Brainspotting

Nervous System Regulation Skills, New Response Blueprints, & Communication Skills