I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor who strongly believes that everyone deserves a life worth living. I trust in the transforming power of a strong therapeutic relationship — to help you heal, gain confidence, and be empowered to become the best version of yourself. I specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and holistic therapy approaches such as movement, breath work, mindfulness and meditation. I have been practicing therapy for over 10 years and have extensive experience treating trauma in individuals with PTSD and Complex PTSD. I approach therapy from a trauma-informed lens and believe in a collaborative approach to make therapy the most effective possible for each individual.
Background
My therapy journey began in 2013 working in various inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings. I spent the beginning of my career working in Community Mental Health serving individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health crises. These experiences profoundly shaped who I am as a clinician and how I see the world in regards to traumatization, strength, courage, compassion, resilience and the healing power of kindness and human connection.
In 2019, I was passionate about starting and leading a peer emotional support group in my local community known as “Our Hour.” I felt inspired by the rise of peer support and the healing power of human connection. Our Hour has been running since 2019 and continues to offer peer-to-peer support to people managing complex emotions in an overwhelming world.
I have spent most of my career learning and teaching DBT Skills as a means to cope with PTSD and C-PTSD. Through DBT, I have gained a love and admiration for the use of mindfulness to regulate the nervous system. To expand my skills and the therapeutic options I can offer clients, I have taken trainings in a variety of holistic approaches that support wellbeing, such as breath work, meditation, movement, and trauma-sensitive yoga. In times when words feel too hard and overwhelming to speak aloud, we can heal through breath, movement and silent meditation. In times when the words cannot be found, we can heal through compassion, empathy, kindness and connection.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an evidenced-based practice that was developed as a structured therapy to treat intense emotions. DBT encompasses a wide range of skills from four modules: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness. DBT is a form of talk therapy that connects reason and emotion to achieve the most effective solution: The Wise Mind. DBT can help treat trauma, unhealthy relationships, emotional disturbances and emotions during crises.
Mindfulness and Compassion-Based Therapy
Mindfulness is full awareness of the present moment without judgement. Once we achieve mindfulness, we can better connect with our emotions and how they are affecting our internal and external worlds. Once mindful, we can then access the skills necessary to manage life stressors. I use mindfulness techniques from DBT, trauma-sensitive yoga and meditation scripts to treat stress, trauma, grief, loss, vicarious trauma, compassion-fatigue, burnout, and self-love.
Help for the Helpers
I recognize that givers and helpers often devote their lives to improving others’ lives, leaving little time or energy for themselves. In our work together, I invite you to consider your own needs and wants and ways to cultivate greater balance in your life. We identify areas where your compassion for others is great but compassion for yourself feels challenging — and explore ways to access more kindness and generosity on your own behalf.
Holistic Healing
Holistic approaches to healing can look slightly different than conventional psychology approaches. The holistic approaches that I incorporate in my therapy include aromatherapy, mindfulness, meditation, breath work, movement, nature, the 5 senses, and trauma-sensitive yoga. These approaches are meant to help you achieve a regulated state so that other work toward healing can take place.