About Therapy
Sometimes clients just need a therapist that is a great listener, and there is immense comfort in having someone bear witness. There are also times of deep struggle when talking isn't enough- people need to DO something with their internal struggle that goes beyond words. That is where creative and somatic-based therapies can help. I truly believe in the healing powers of the innate wisdom and creativity that can be found within each person. At all times, therapy is a collaboration between client and counselor.
Grief
When we are grieving a serious loss, it is often difficult to find words for the depth of our emotions. This can make us feel stuck, or unable to share our experiences with others.
Writing and art-making can help us process grief and loss. When a person slows down to write or make something by hand, these physical acts move slower than the minds moves. The benefit of slowing down is that our inner experiences can be more fleshed out, and our nervous system calms. It allows time to integrate and for our brains to think in different ways. Being creative helps deeply feel the grief without being overwhelmed by it.
Group therapy for grief can decrease a sense of loneliness. Grief is not meant to be bottled up. Community can offer support, understanding, and to bear witness to the painful experience of grief.
Art Therapy
Art Therapy combines traditional counseling with creative art-making to improve the well-being of mind, body and spirit. No experience is necessary to benefit. There is no "right" way to make things. Art Therapy is an opportunity to use creativity to express feelings in a different way.
Art Therapy can be fun, decrease anxiety, provide insight, improve mood and help process overwhelming emotions. Art-making can make life more meaningful and allows people to feel fully human!
Body-Based Therapy
Somatic approaches to therapy can be incredibly helpful because the body holds so much wisdom and messages from the unconscious. Listening and tending to the sensations from the body, as well as the nervous system is a crucial part of healing.
Whether dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, overwhelm or trauma, the mind-spirit-body connection and communication is the key towards better understanding and growth.
In counseling I use modalities such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Theory, Bi-lateral stimulation and Somatic Embodiment and Regulation strategies.
