My perspective on humans and mental health counseling
My approach is rooted in the conviction that we all possess the inner strength and resources needed to not only face life's challenges but also to thrive and reach our full potential. However, there are times when we can all benefit from support, compassion, and guidance. As a therapist , I strive to create a safe and nurturing space where clients can explore their inner strengths and vulnerabilities with compassion and unconditional positive regard.
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Throughout my experiences as a mental health counselor (and also a human working through my own stuff), I have observed two underlying themes as being foundational to the healing process: transforming negative core beliefs and regulating the nervous system.
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I individualize therapy to each of my client's needs and am passionate about helping individuals heal negative core beliefs that may be holding them back and regulating their nervous systems for a more balanced and empowered life.
My therapeutic approach is guided by the understanding that core beliefs, often shaped early in life, can profoundly impact our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Negative core beliefs are those beliefs that are self-critical, limiting, and often inaccurate and biased. Some common examples are “I’m not good enough,” 'I am unworthy,' or 'I’m unlovable.' These types of beliefs make our desires and the joyful, abundant life we deserve, feel out of reach.
Through approaches like IFS (Internal Family Systems) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), I work collaboratively with clients to understand and challenge these limiting beliefs, paving the way for healing and transformation. The deep work involved in these techniques makes it possible to actually feel the truth of the desired and more open-minded beliefs- rather than just thinking them.
When we work on healing trauma and changing beliefs, we also have to recognize how important nervous system regulation is to our sense of safety and well-being. Working with the mind alone will not create lasting change, as the nervous system determines what feels safe not just externally but also internally- for example "does it feel safe to be hopeful and confident?" "Does it feel safe to view myself as worthy and loveable?"
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By learning strategies to re-regulate the nervous system, we can navigate life's ups and downs with greater resilience and mindfulness, ultimately leading to a sense of freedom and boundlessness.
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I am here to support you on your journey towards healing, growth, and discovering your best and highest self. Let's embark on this transformative journey together.
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You don't have to walk this journey alone. I would love to support you in reconnecting with your higher self and achieving your wellness goals. I offer a free 15 minute consultation call for you to ask me questions and further confirm we are a good fit. Reach out to me to schedule a consultation call or initial session.
"Unboundedness and abundance are our natural state. We just need to restore the memory of what we already know."
-Deepak Chopra
Therapy Approach
I personalize sessions to the needs of each client and use a variety of approaches to counseling. The approaches I pull from the most are EMDR and IFS, and at times I incorporate Polyvagal theory and art therapy.
Eye
movement
desensitiza-tion AND reprocessing
(emdr)
EMDR uses neuroscience to tap into the brain's natural healing mechanisms. Through bilateral stimulation techniques like tapping or eye movement, both brain hemispheres are activated, facilitating communication and re-integration of traumatic memories or negative beliefs. Many clients report decreased emotional intensity of memories, new insights, symptom relief, and increased confidence in positive self-beliefs. EMDR offers accelerated healing and lasting results, making it highly effective for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
iNTERNAL fAMILY sYSTEMS (ifs)
IFS is based on the belief that we all have many parts of ourselves, each with their own goals/motivations, ways of behaving, and fears. When you feel conflicted about something, you might naturally say "a part of me wants/feels this, but another part of me thinks I should do something else." IFS helps you understand the intentions and fears behind your patterns of thinking and behaving, so that you can approach yourself with more compassionate understanding, mediate between conflicted parts, heal wounded parts, and gain clarity about who you are at your core.
poLYVAGAL Theory
Polyvagal theory is based on science about our nervous system and it's connection to the longest nerve in the body- the vagus nerve. Polyvagal and somatic techniques give us effective, easy to use, hands on strategies that we can use in our day to day lives to connect mind and body and regulate the nervous system. These are essentially "hacks" to coping and regulating in your day to day life.
aRT THERAPY
Art therapy uses art media as another means of expression and communication. Through creating art, clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a non-verbal way, often uncovering insights and gaining a deeper understanding of themselves. Art-making uses a different part of the brain than verbal communication and thus different ways of processing and working through things.