As someone trained in both western and eastern approaches to working with human experience, my approach is non-pathologizing, non-judgmental, and compassion-based. I believe a nervous system-aware and trauma-specific (not just ‘informed’) approach is critical, whether it is for short-term navigation of a life change, or long-term depth work.
My view of the nervous system is that it is irreducible in complexity, and more intelligent than anything professionals can be taught or predict. Healing happens in a place where there is safety, first and foremost. Humor, not moralistic judgement. Curiosity and attunement, not a focus on being ‘disordered’ or how emotions, thoughts, sensations ‘should’ happen.
My job is to facilitate your systemic wisdom, not pigeonhole clients into rigid diagnoses and disorder categories. When insurance requires diagnoses for coverage, I make sure to do this collaboratively and in a fully informed way, with an eye to minimal future challenges.
My graduate studies in Buddhist Psychology, and advanced training in Brainspotting and other approaches, all foster the view that you shouldn’t be treated like statistics who ‘should’ fit an algorithm, and complying with protocols doesn’t help everyone. There is no one size fits all approach.
Having multiple, flexible tools and skills is important: I trained in IFS and Somatic Experiencing, and PACT couples therapy to this end. More important though, is a view of the person as intrinsically good and full of intelligence — regardless of obscured the intelligence seems.
Beyond focused goal-setting, values assessment and problem solving, I also am trained in performance-enhancing expansion work for creatives, professionals and athletes. Although these are often the realm of coaching, dissolving barriers to success often involves trauma specific tools borrowed from Brainspotting, IFS and Somatic Experiencing.
Our nervous systems are designed to heal, process and progress us through life; but we are generally not designed to do that alone. Therapy isn’t meant to feel like going to a surgical procedure or taking an exam, at least not where I come from.
I’m not the expert in a white labcoat: warmth is the gateway to processing the most encapsulated wounds, memories, and experience. How I work is more relational and flexible. I try to be mindful of how power differences exist in the session, and how to create more safety as time goes on. I view this work more as an art, than a predictable science. It’s simple: we discover a custom path collaboratively, and don’t presume to know what it looks like ahead of time.
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Most of my trainings have approached working with clients this way. Here are the main approaches I use:
Brainspotting (consultant level) with specialty training in perinatal trauma, work with adoptees, athletes, injuries and physical conditions; intergenerational trauma; enhancing performance for creatives, professionals and athletes. While I have EMDR training, I’ve found Brainspotting to be more attuned and less compliance-based.
Somatic Experiencing (Advanced 2) with training in complex medical syndromes, car and other accidents, refugee/immigrant distress, medical procedure trauma, etc.
Internal Family Systems (IFSca advanced).
Gestalt (Institute of Rockies, 3 semesters).
PACT couples therapy (level 2).
Couples Institute relationship therapy training (ongoing).
Sex therapy training - Sexual Health Alliance (ongoing).
Additional somatic, sexuality and ketamine therapy training via Innate Path, PRATI, Polaris; Melissa Walker; multiple AASECT providers.
Additional training in psychodrama, nature based therapy, hypnotherapy, NLP and others.
A 2 year addictions specialist training and counselor certification (California).
Multiple ongoing trainings in specialty topic areas: therapists engage in continuing education throughout their career.