the approach

Holistic/Integrative — Whole mind-body-spirit wellness involves the nervous system, context, the resources available to you, the relationships you have, your upbringing and developmental influences, culture, and much, much more. My approach is holistic, meaning that the way in which I orient the therapy is in viewing you as a dynamic, changing, complex and whole person. I value the way that all life areas influence each other, and as one changes, that the others will change too. In contrast to compartmentalization, this approach understands your life experience including your energy, emotions, cognition, and behavior holistically. The bidirectional nature of health and mental health has been well-researched and documented at the frontiers of neuroscience, which can help us to explore a multitude of ways to address experiences of anxiety and/or depression.

Relational Gestalt is a holistic approach that works to bring greater awareness to the relationship between emotions, thoughts, behaviors, as well as increase the intelligence of and connection to the body. Any unwanted behaviors or patterns are understood as developing from an attempt to bravely and creatively adjust to the environment. Many of these patterns arise from early wounds and relational ruptures in periods of core development, so while the pattern or behavior was once helpful, it may now be redundant, rigid, and unwanted, and often halts the ability to maintain intimate and meaningful connections. The Relational Gestalt framework views healing as a process of reconnecting to the parts of the self we have deemed “wrong,” have “discarded,” or feel are unwanted. This approach values self-exploration, creativity, and experimentation with new ways of self-expression. The therapeutic relationship is at the heart of the therapy, invoking a deeper sense of self-compassion and empathy for meaningful and lasting shifts into new patterns and ways of being.

Embodiment-based therapy includes exploring different sensations in the body as a part of the dialogic process. Tuning in to our somatic experience can expose us to our innate healing abilities as well as reveal messages and signals that we typically do not notice. Embodiment work aims to deepen the relationship between our minds and bodies, strengthens our intuition, and helps us to live from a deeper sense of pleasure, connection, relaxation, and regeneration. Embodiment work is empowering and can be both activating and relaxing. We will find a balance between cognitive integration and bodily exploration that moves at your pace.

Trauma-Sensitive therapy offers a welcoming, supportive, and non-judgmental relationship and environment, with the understanding that safety and trust are built. This approach is rooted within understanding behavior, emotion, and cognition from a neurobiological and physiological lens, focusing on connection to the body-mind. This is a strengths-based framework that understands traumatic events and trauma to result in a separation of the body from emotions, in turn, emphasizing physical, psychological, and emotional safety, while rebuilding a sense of control and empowerment.

Harm-Reduction considers all behavior as adaptive. This framework understands our nervous system as trying to do what it can for our survival. Because our individualistic culture tells us that we need more “self-control,” this non-judgmental and physiologically-sensitive framework supports self-understanding and self-soothing, while removing self-blame and self-deprecating beliefs. It can also guide us into a more intuitive way of living, where we can make conscious choices for our well-being as we begin to understand behavior as a function of adaptation. This framework cultivates respect for what our bodies have done in a more primitive state, and dismantles toxic shame and negative self-judgment.

Transformational vs. Transactional means that our work together cannot be replicated, will not be robotic, and will instead involve resonance and empathic relating. Most traditional therapies are structured through the lens of an unbiased, third-party “expert” who knows how to “fix” the patient. These therapies were developed within patriarchal and bureaucratic systems of oppression that can actually be more harmful than helpful! They are often transactional, and do not align with my values. A transformational approach will mean that I will show up authentically and honestly, and I will feel with you! This shared resonance will contribute to the transformation of us both in our process of sharing humanity and intimacy.

Addressing Systemic Oppression and Trauma — I believe that a foundation of good therapy acknowledges the sociopolitical context we exist within and the ways in which these circumstances shape us. My understanding is that individualistic culture results in systemic oppression, which is at the heart of why we need therapy in the first place. I believe trauma will inevitably result in a culture that decreases the value of human life and lacks in relational attunement. We will look at the conditioning of white supremacist, patriarchal structures and work together to unpack the ways in which this culture is harmful. My understanding of systemic oppression continues through continuous trainings, my clinical training at The Relational Center, social change work, the social justice activists and mentors in my life, and the books White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo and Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by Adrienne Maree Brown. “When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” — Alexander Den Heijer