Services
I provide counseling services for people who are dealing with a variety of experiences. Please read on to see the short list of areas that I focus on and the descriptions of services I offer. More information is devoted to introduce EMDR, Brainspotting, and Parts Work (ego state work) because these strategies have been highly effective with many of the people I have worked with.
• anxiety/worries/overwhelm
• family-of-origin issues
• self-esteem
• abuse - physical, emotional, sexual
• relationship issues - family, parent / child, work, peer
• coping skills
• grief and loss
• weight/food issues
• adoption
• collaboration with other professionals
• compassion fatigue
• stress reduction / management
• personal growth
• trauma reactions / PTSD
Adoption
Adult adoptees: Adoptees with untreated attachment issues can encounter emotional and relationship difficulties in adulthood. Oftentimes, the connection between adoption and relationship issues is buried deeply within. I help explore possible linkages between past adoption/attachment issues and challenges in the present. We are then able to choose an appropriate therapy strategy to transform that barrier and allow for healthy relationships and emotional relief.
Parents of adopted children: Parents of adopted children with attachment/trauma issues often experience confusion and frustration with educational, therapeutic, medical, legal, and family systems that are not always informed, supportive, and understanding regarding attachment and relational trauma. In fact, many parents feel blamed by individuals in these systems for their children’s behaviors. Due to many years of experience working with adoptive families, I am able to create a safe and supportive place for parents to vent, problem-solve, and cope with their frustration and isolation. We can explore therapeutic parenting options (as opposed to traditional parenting) that may contribute to family healing.
Collaboration
I am a team player. One of the services that I most enjoy is teaming up with other professionals such as therapists, dietitians, or doctors. I am able to offer the extra services that these professionals may not, such as EMDR or parts work, while you continue your valuable work with your provider. Your provider and I communicate so that they may advise on how best to incorporate my services into your work with them. My services enhance but do not replace your work with your provider who you continue to see regularly. Click to learn more about EMDR and parts work.
Compassion Fatigue
Many of us spend the majority of our time and energy taking care of others, expending a lot of emotional energy. This can take a toll on our physical and emotional health. Parents (especially with children with special needs), professionals, caregivers, and volunteers can eventually experience compassion fatigue and may need some assistance to heal, refuel, and cope. I am happy to provide a supportive and safe environment to heal from the secondary traumatization and burnout that many people experience.
Individual Therapy
Individual Therapy can help to transform barriers which interfere with your ability to experience positive qualities, such as joy, compassion, peace, self-esteem, spiritual connection, and love.
If you choose individual therapy, we will work together to create a plan designed specifically for your needs and goals. We can then work at a pace that is comfortable for you. Our sessions may focus on current or past problems, experiences, thoughts, feelings, or relationships. This may involve learning new skills, trying out new behaviors, working through old issues, grieving, or letting go of things that no longer serve your health or well-being. Additionally, ongoing therapy is a common and useful means of self-growth and self-actualization.
We can use traditional “talk” therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, parts work, and stress-management/relaxation activities to help you reach your goals.
Personal Growth
There are times when clients come to sessions with the goal of becoming the best person they can be. Together, we create a plan to further this goal by removing obstacles, healing old wounds, and learning new skills. Specialized techniques such as EMDR and parts work can be very effective in helping people create the changes they desire. The reward for these clients is a happier and more fulfilled life.
Stress Reduction and Management
We live in a fast paced and ever changing world. Sometimes we become overwhelmed with our day to day lives and need some guidance or fresh ideas on how to cope with our stress. We can use a variety of techniques to create a personalized plan to reduce and manage stress. Mindfulness, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, art, and deep breathing are just some of the techniques that people find effective.
Trauma Reactions and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma reactions and PTSD can occur when we experience any event that seems overwhelming, dangerous, or life threatening. Our brains are programmed to remember dangerous situations so that we can avoid them in the future. Unfortunately, sometimes our brains have difficulty believing that the danger has passed and we are now safe. Young children and others under stress are often more prone to trauma. Symptoms of trauma can include: changes in sleeping and eating patterns, startling easily/hyper-vigilance, anger/irritability, anxiety/fears, mood swings, feeling numb and disconnected, flashbacks, guilt/shame, shock and denial, nightmares, hypersensitivity and difficulty concentrating.
The following are some examples of events that can lead to a traumatic reaction or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): injuries, accidents, disabling conditions, illnesses, surgeries and hospitalizations (especially for young children), loss of a loved one, abuse, separation from primary caregiver, and divorce or loss of significant relationship.
There are many ways to help restore a sense of peace and safety after a trauma has occurred. We often use combinations of play therapy, art, modified EMDR and parts work, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness activities to help children resolve their trauma. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and parts work such as Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) can be added to more traditional techniques to provide much needed relief.