MY SPECIALTIES

LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, EMDR, anxiety, trauma (including C-PTSD and PTSD), family conflict, relationship & interpersonal struggles, attachment issues, identity, self-worth, sex & sexuality, and depression.

MEthods ~ How I Work

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

About EMDR Therapy:

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to heal emotional distress caused by trauma. Unlike therapies that focus on changing thought patterns, EMDR uses a "bottom-up" approach, addressing the emotional and physical roots of the issue. It treats traumatic memories like unhealed wounds, helping them integrate with the brain. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 for PTSD, EMDR is now proven effective for various mental health conditions and trauma.

How EMDR Works & What to Expect:

When a traumatic event occurs, the brain sometimes struggles to properly process and store the experience, leading to distress when the memory is triggered. This can cause the mind and body to become "stuck," reinforcing negative emotions, thoughts, and fears. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, sounds) while recalling these memories to help the brain reprocess them, promoting healthier storage and responses. This process fosters new, positive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors for improved mental well-being. EMDR consists of 8 phases, where your therapist will guide you through memory reprocessing and coping strategies.

Research has found EMDR to be a helpful treatment for:

  • Trauma & PTSD

  • Anxiety

  • Panic & Phobias

  • Depression

  • Grief

  • Chronic pain

  • Dissociative disorders

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on gaining insight into your life by identifying patterns and connections between your experiences. It encourages exploration of early life, beliefs, thoughts, and emotions, helping you understand how different aspects of your life shape how you interact with the world. This therapy aims to reduce stress and symptoms by uncovering the "why" and "how" behind them. It explores the unconscious mind and promotes awareness of behavior and inner processes.

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Attachment-based science focuses on how early relationships, especially with caregivers, impact emotional development and behavior throughout life. It explores how secure or insecure attachments formed in childhood influence relationships, coping mechanisms, and overall mental health in adulthood.

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Relational therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the dynamics of the relationship between the therapist and the client. It emphasizes how past and present relationships, including those with caregivers, peers, and significant others, influence one’s current emotional life and behavior. In this approach, the therapist and client work together to understand and explore patterns in relationships.

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Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment with a non-judgmental and accepting attitude. It helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, reducing stress and improving emotional regulation. The goal is to increase self-awareness and develop healthier coping strategies.