What is Somatic Experiencing (SE)? Is a holistic approach to the resolution and healing of trauma. It is based on the Polyvagal Theory and how trauma can become stuck or stored in the body/nervous system and show up as activation or symptoms. SE helps assess if a person is “stuck” in the fight, flight, or freeze responses and provides tools to resolve these states. SE works gently with the activation in a titrated and non-cathartic way—at the client’s own pace. The goal of SE is ‘re-negotiation of the trauma’ which is building resiliency and the completion of self protective survival responses that are still held in the body. SE also enhances the communication between the mind and body which facilitates a feeling of cohesiveness within one’s self. An SE session may look like using a lot of body-based mindfulness techniques to build more awareness of what is going on internally in the body. When the client is able to track what is going on internally and feels safe and comfortable—then we can start working towards the resolution of the trauma.

I am a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) and I am starting my PhD in Psychology with a emphasis in Somatic Psychology.

To learn more about Somatic Experiencing check out my blog post: Somatic Therapy

What is Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM)? Is a holistic approach to the resolution of developmental trauma, complex trauma and attachment trauma. It is based on the Polyvagal theory, somatic therapy and attachment theory. NARM works with survival strategies and explores how they have interfered with how we connect to ourselves and others and how they get in the way of what we want for ourselves. Survival strategies are adaptations that we pick up from chronic misattunements/attachment failures and trauma in childhood. The survival strategies help us survive but then interfere and get in the way of what we want later in life and often get in the way of us having relationships and connections with other people—it can often look like self sabotage. Many children learn to disconnect from their True Selves and suppress self expression and emotions as children in order to preserve their relationships with their caregivers and attachment figures. This can happen even when the caregivers are well intentioned but can especially happen in cases of trauma, abuse, neglect or constant issues in the childhood home. Children learn to deny and suppress their own wants and needs in an environment that cannot attune to them and this can become a automatic and subconscious response later throughout life until some awareness is brought to it. This chronic state of being disconnected and repressed can make it hard for people to feel like they are able to access their True Self. In NARM therapy, we can work on identifying the specific survival strategies you use as well as attachment styles, and then go on to help you work through these survival strategies. NARM aims to help a client re-connect with their True Authentic Self in order to help them discover their true wants and needs and when this is achieved, the client can go on to develop deeper and more intimate relationships with others.

I am a certified NARM Therapist

To learn more about NARM—check out a blog I wrote about NARM.

What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)/Parts Work? Is an approach that believes that the mind is naturally multiple and is made up of ‘parts’ (sometimes referred to as sub-personalities). Everyone has Parts and having Parts does not mean you have multiple personality disorder. All of the inner parts are important and have roles and jobs—even though sometimes they can seem like they are working against the person—causing self sabotage. Parts are survival strategies that usually develop in childhood and stay with us in adulthood. IFS does not aim to get rid of the part but is wanting to assist the part in having a less extreme role. The goal of this type of therapy is to heal the wounded parts and get all the parts to work together as a cohesive whole. An IFS session may look like using guided meditations or mindfulness to have a conversation with the part—the part may communicate directly with the client or through thoughts, feelings, sensations in the body, memories or images. Together we can listen to hear what the part may be trying to communicate so that we can help them. By befriending the parts, they may work with you instead of against you and their may be less inner turmoil when the parts are not loudly completing for your attention all the time—creating more of a sense of inner calm. The ultimate goal of IFS is to become more ‘self-lead’ which means to have the True Self leading the system rather than the parts.

*I have finished the education portion (level 2) of the IFS training from the IFS institute and am working towards my hours for the certification requirement as well as starting level 3 this year.

To learn more about IFS, check out a blog I wrote about it: Internal Family Systems.

What is Sex Therapy?: Sex therapy is a type of psychotherapy that provides an opportunity to explore many different sexual issues or topics. It can be for couples or individuals. Some people may want to explore their sexuality or gender identity and others may want to explore ways to have better intimacy or more sexual satisfaction. Some people may want to explore body image, self-esteem, trauma or religious/shame-based messaging that has been internalized and is now interfering with their sexual expression. Others may want to explore kink or alternative relationships such as polyamory. Being able to explore these sensitive topics in a non-judgemental and sex/pleasure affirming space while having support can facilitate healing and growth. The goal of this therapy is for you to explore who you really are and what you are truly wanting for yourself so that you can have the empowered sex life that you want and deserve. I do not offer court /probation appointed sex therapy services at this time. There is no touching of any kind during sex therapy.

*I have a certificate in sex therapy from University of Michigan. Currently offering sex therapy under the supervision of Dr. Estefanía Simich Muñoz, PhD, LCPC, CST, CST-S and working towards certification.

To learn more about sex therapy—check out my blog post: sex therapy.

What is Psychedelic Integration Therapy? Psychedelic integration is NOT done while the client is on psychedelics but is the process of exploring and metabolizing the experience before and later in therapy (while not under the influence). Setting goals or intentions for ceremonies can be a great way to give the journey some direction. Integrating the visions and lessons learned during the journey is an important step of the healing process when doing psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. I do not supply or administer psychedelics or plant medicine.

I have acquired my psychedelic therapy training from Blue Sage Health in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

To learn more about psychedelic and plant medicine integration work—check out my blog post: Psychedelic Integration.

What is Jungian Therapy/ Sandtray Therapy/ Dream Work?- Jungian therapy is about making the ‘unconscious more conscious,’ in other words, become more aware of things about our selves that we aren’t usually aware of and ultimately becoming more self aware. Jungian therapy can make use of things like, sandtray, art, writing, dreams, tarot, astrology, psychedelics and other forms of creative expression work. Jungian therapy can also be a helpful way to explore spirituality, meaning of life and the universal patterns in the psyche/nature. The goal of Jungian therapy is ‘individuation’ which can also be called ‘self actualization'—reaching your full potential. Like many of the other types of therapies I offer, it has the goal of becoming more connected to the True Self.

Sandtray is a unique form of therapy that uses play, creativity and symbols to access deeper levels of the subconscious by bypassing the cognitive parts of the brain that are usually activated by talk therapy. Sandtray can also be a helpful way to explore trauma or topics that one doesn’t feel comfortable talking about with words. Sandtray can also be done in virtual sessions with a virtual sandtray that I use that works very well.

Dream work is a way to discuss and process dreams in therapy. In dream work, the client will bring up dreams that they feel were meaningful or stood out to them in some way. Some clients may keep a dream journal and track their dreams regularly to keep an eye out for potential messages from the subconscious or motifs and themes. Often I will use sand tray of creative expressive work with dream work—for example, having a client make the dream scene in the sandtray or draw scenes from the dream.

I have a Master’s in Jungian Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. I have also attended a Jungian sandtray workshop at the C.G. Jung Institute Los Angeles.

To learn more—check out my blog on Jungian Therapy and sandtray therapy.