about the work
“the art of living is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging to the past on the other. it consists in being sensitive to each moment, in regarding it as utterly new and unique, in having the mind open and wholly receptive.”
about therapy and healing…
CONFINES OF CONVENTION:
the status quo from society we call “normal” often opposes our well-being, overall health, and innate aliveness.
so many of us struggle with a sense of wholeness and relationship to self, finding balance in life, and maintaining supportive relationships with friends and significant others.
though we may be successful at accomplishing goals (or struggle to do so!), our journey is riddled with profound hurdles that impact a sense of fulfillment, our family dynamics, connection, & our relationship to life and death.
SELF COMPASSION:
hyper-individualism and codependency plague our society and consciousness, making us feel as though we are to blame for our suffering and that we can’t find fulfillment within our relationship to the human experience. we struggle spiritually and existentially to make sense of our suffering.
we find ourselves numbing, distracted, unable to focus on what really matters, and feeling limited by the nature of our thoughts and lack of awareness of the rhythm of our bodies. i am here on the journey as we learn how to bridge this gap.
the impact of the harsh and negative self-judgments we are conditioned with can cut us off from connecting deeply to our bodies and each other, relating vulnerably and intimately, feeling connected to the magic of existence, expressing creativity, living in flow, and ultimately from living the life we truly desire. i am here to support you in doing this in the face of depressive feelings, grief, trauma, chronic illness, and other existential aches that impact us as humans.
WHY THERAPY EXISTS:
i believe that psychotherapy exists because there is an epidemic of not belonging and isolation in our culture. toxic shame and self-defeating beliefs about ourselves spiral us into self-deprecating habits and create a sense of disconnection from our partners, friends, and ourselves. we no longer have rites of passage to guide us the way indigenous societies did, so we struggle to pass through thresholds of growth that the life cycle asks of us.
WHAT WE WILL DO TOGETHER:
i combine my studies and experiences of mind-body science, personal and spiritual transformation, nutrition, social justice values, and our shared interconnectedness to provide trauma-aware, integrative healing support. together we will experience transformation and learn how to re-parent with deep compassion, clarity, love, and truth.
rather than a pick-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps approach, I utilize mindful self-compassion and embodiment-based techniques, practices, and dialog.
in our work together, we will explore what an integrated and embodied sense of self feels and looks like for you, discovering the "shoulds" that may block your experience of wholeness. we will work to strengthen the muscles of self-soothing and accountability to our spirit/soul, and also share in humor, laughs, and joys, too.
the therapeutic journey that I go on with people is one of rewiring the nervous system, becoming more intimate with one’s inner emotional world, learning the language of self-soothing, becoming the parent we always needed, connecting to the gifts of our soul.
i believe that we are here to do more than just survive or combat feelings of fear, existential dread, anxiety, depression, and disconnection. i believe we are here to truly thrive and feel the joy of self-reclamation and liberation.
i am in service to helping you get to the roots of your challenges, live true to your values, and connect to your inherent worthiness so that you can experience more presence, joy, and inspiration on the path you walk.
ABOUT MY WORK:
i am formally trained in relational gestalt, meditation/mindfulness, and yoga with specialties in development through the lifespan, attachment, trauma, and food relationship.
i have particular experience with women’s issues, coming of age, disordered eating, intimate partner relationships, and the highly sensitive person (HSP).
i often find myself working with couples, activists, writers, organizers, and/or spiritually-identified beings. with couples, we will collaboratively work together to deepen intimacy through embodiment practices, effective communication skills, and a focus on the attachment-system.
I believe good therapy brings us to experience more meaning, depth, presence, and wholeness in our lives and relationships, supporting us to unlearn what no longer serves our inner compass towards truth. I also believe “self-sabotaging” habits and patterns melt away with self-compassion and relationally-attuned connection.
Therapy is an experience we can reach for not only in moments of pain and suffering, but also in moments where we want to grow, thrive, build, transform, or experience a deeper relationship with our aliveness. The approach I take is strengths-based and feminist, meaning that I challenge the patriarchal status quo and the traditions of therapy that have been shaped by it. This means our work together will be creative, collaborative, and move towards the felt sense of liberation, incorporating the mind, body, and spirit.
Click here to read more about my personal journey & teachers, and click here to set up a consultation.
✷ Since COVID-19, my services are now being offered to individuals and couples online (and will continue to do so as an option indefinitely)