How I Work/How I Can Help
I remember when I first became a psychotherapist, CBT was the gold standard treatment. Everyone was looking for it, and every therapist needed to know how to do it. CBT is useful, but it is not a great fit for everyone. Some people are overthinkers, and CBT can make that worse. I use CBT when it fits my clients, but a lot of clients need to get out of their heads into their bodies. I became a yoga teacher so that I could incorporate holistic techniques with my clients, and use a lot of mindfulness and somatic techniques in the work that I do.
My style is informal, flexible and empowering. I can be directive for clients that specifically want that, but my default assumption is that YOU are the expert on YOU and I'm just here holding space while you unravel all the bullshit that gets in the way of being who you really are. I have ideas and knowledge that might make some of that unraveling easier but you are the authority in the therapy room. I love to get feedback from my clients about what they feel is working or not working and how I can adjust my approach so they feel that they are getting maximum value from our time together.
For those that are veterans to therapy and looking for specific modalities, I use a variety of approaches including mindfulness, somatic practices, EMDR, parts work, yoga psychology, sensorimotor psychotherapy, gestalt, coaching, and insight-oriented therapy. For couples, I may incorporate tools from Gottman Method, Imago, and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. With couples I often have more of a directive style where we spend a fair bit of time on building and practicing skills.
My Values, Philosophy & Lived Experience
I believe in the worth and dignity of all, which is part of why I chose social work as my profession. I also believe that marginalized people deserve to feel heard, and for their truth to matter. Some people from minority groups and those who experience "otherness" have experienced complex trauma through a lifetime of discrimination, and we need therapists who can help. You can't help if you don't believe the struggle is real. I believe the struggle for underrepresented groups is very real.
I am LGBTQ+ affiliated and affirming, poly/kink friendly, and sex positive. I have personal experience with anxiety, stress-related illness, disability, neurodivergence, and spiritual emergency, which inspired me to get additional training in these areas so that I can support others in their recovery.
Specialties
Late Life Diagnosed Neurodivergent Women
Mixed Neurotype Relationships (including Ethical Non-Monogamy, Poly, Kink)
Anxiety
"High Functioning" Complex Trauma
Spiritual Emergency/Transpersonal Issues
Professional Background
Like a lot of neurodivergent people, my life trajectory into adulthood was not a straight line. I had an initial plan to become a Professor focused on creative writing, but ended up changing directions during my first attempt at graduate school to pursue Clinical Social Work. I have had a part-time private practice since 2015.
I have worked in many settings with all ages, and over the years have specialized in anxiety, trauma and stress disorders. In the last 5 years I have also focused more on neurodivergent adult clients, mostly because I saw an increased need and I realized that the vast majority of my clients were neurodivergent. I work with ADHD individuals and couples impacted by ADHD as well as individuals and couples impacted by autism - especially late life diagnosis of autism.
Personal Background
I was raised by two PhD psychologists. (Whatever you are thinking right now about that is probably true.) I was a "twice exceptional" student held to high expectations which resulted in perfectionism and overachieving. Anxiety became a primary coping strategy. Like a lot of twice exceptional kids, I also did not get through childhood without being touched by trauma.
I experienced a lot of social rejection that I didn't understand. In middle school, I embraced being a misfit and wore my "quirkiness" like a badge of honor. I just wanted to belong somewhere. It didn't help that my personal values were not naturally aligned with the majority where I was living at the time.
Perhaps it is because I often felt unwelcome in social environments that I became spiritually minded. My connection to the sacred has been there for me, even when the world has let me down. I love to bring energy medicine and spirituality into my work with clients. If you are a material reductionist, fear not; I won't bring in the woo unless you want me to.