“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived; but, if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” ~ Maya Angelou
My Approach.
Anchored in a strong belief in human resilience, I meet each client where they are, guiding clients to connect with their own courage, insight, and wisdom. I am a trauma-informed counselor and trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). I help clients to understand how their life experiences have impacted them while empowering them to envision and create a new future.
My guiding principles.
Connecting with
Inner Wisdom
.
I believe that as humans we all have a “core self” that is courageous, compassionate, and present. We also have lots of other parts of ourselves - all of our parts may not always agree! In therapy, we begin with a valuing of all of our parts, while working towards greater inner harmony, spaciousness, and alignment with our core values and needs. You are the expert in yourself, and I see myself as a guide to connect you with your own inner wisdom.
Transforming at the root.
In contrast to some therapies that focus on identifying and challenging unhealthy thought patterns, EMDR focuses on discovering when symptoms and negative beliefs about self first developed, and working to heal and transform at the root. Whether traumatic experiences were recent or in the distant past, I will honor their impact on your life as we work to gain more freedom and choice.
Creating Safe Space
.
As an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist (and part of the queer community myself), I understand the importance of “safe space.” All of your identities are valid and valuable, whether fixed or fluid, chosen or innate. I strive to always be curious and compassionate towards your lived experience and intersectionality, knowing that “mental disorder” is often the label put on attempts to cope with oppression, discrimination, trauma or internalized shame.
YOU are not the problem.
Many clients come to therapy wanting to “fix” themselves. They have been told by others that they need help, because somehow they are failing. While I believe wholeheartedly in the importance of behavioral change and self-reflection, I resist seeing clients as “broken.” After all, you had the strength to make it to this day! Being a human is hard - we’re all “beautiful messes” at times. I focus often on self-compassion, showing ourselves grace, and owning our pain.
“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”
— MARY OLIVER, “EVIDENCE”