“The best way out is always through.” | Robert Frost
My Approach
My approach integrates the mind, body, and spirit, recognizing that healing often begins when we turn toward the pain we’ve worked so hard to avoid. Rather than distracting ourselves from difficult emotions, we can learn to listen to what they’re telling us. This means developing a deeper connection with our bodies, understanding our emotional experiences, and learning to move through them with greater safety and self-compassion. Because trauma can affect how we experience our bodies, healing involves more than talking about what happened; it means safely connecting with and processing what we’ve held inside. My goal is to help you reconnect with yourself so you can build trust, feel safer in your body, and deepen your connection with others and the world around you.
I also recognize that mental health is shaped by more than our individual experiences; it is influenced by the world we live in. Systemic racism, discrimination, oppression, and societal expectations can deeply impact our well-being. In our work together, we’ll look both inward and outward, exploring not only your personal experiences but also how your identity and environment have shaped them. Healing isn’t about placing all the responsibility on you to change; it’s also about understanding what you’ve had to navigate.
How We May Work Together
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Trauma can impact not only how we think and feel, but also how we experience our bodies and respond to the world around us. Somatic and nervous system-focused therapy helps you reconnect with your body, increase awareness of your emotions and physical responses, and develop tools to feel more grounded, regulated, and safe. Through mindful attention to body sensations, movement, and experiential practices, this approach supports the healing of trauma responses that may continue to affect your daily life, relationships, and sense of self.
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For many people, the relationship they have with themselves is one of the most important—and sometimes most painful—relationships they have. Self-compassion work can be especially helpful when you struggle with a harsh inner critic, perfectionism, low self-worth, shame, or patterns shaped by difficult relationships and attachment experiences. Together, we’ll work toward developing a more supportive and compassionate inner voice without losing accountability or the desire to grow.
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When we feel disconnected from ourselves, and the world around us, it can be unsettling. Mindfulness based practices can help us tune into our external and internal awareness to help us find more presence in our lives. It is an evidenced-based approach that has lasting impacts.
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I integrate evidence-based approaches that are tailored to your unique experiences, needs, and goals. Grounded in a client-centered and trauma-informed foundation, I draw from cognitive behavioral approaches to support emotional regulation, increase self-awareness, and develop healthier ways of coping. These approaches can help you better understand patterns, build resilience, and develop practical, concrete, evidence-based tools that you can use both inside and outside of therapy to navigate everyday challenges and support lasting healing.
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Some experiences are simply hard to put into words.
Trauma, grief, and painful life experiences can leave us feeling stuck, even after we've talked about them many times. Sand Tray Therapy offers a gentle, creative way to explore these experiences through symbols and imagery instead of relying only on conversation.
By creating your inner world in the sand, difficult emotions and memories can be explored from a place of safety and curiosity. The tray becomes a container where healing can unfold at your own pace.
Understanding the Therapy Process
Starting therapy can sometimes feel confusing—there are new terms, emotions, patterns, and experiences to navigate, and it isn't always clear what therapy is supposed to look like or where you're headed. Part of my role is to help “lift the veil” on the therapeutic process so you have a clear understanding of what we're working toward and why.
While every person’s process is different, therapy generally moves through three phases. We’ll establish goals together, regularly check in on your progress, and adjust our work as your needs change. My intention is not to keep you in therapy indefinitely simply for the sake of continuing therapy, but to work collaboratively toward the goals that brought you here. For some people, that process may take several months; for others, it may take several years. My hope is that you develop the understanding, skills, and internal resources you need to move forward with greater confidence and independence.
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We’ll get to know each other, talk about what brings you to therapy, and identify the patterns, challenges, and goals you want to work on. We’ll focus on building a relationship where you feel safe, understood, and comfortable being yourself while developing a shared understanding of what may be contributing to what you’re experiencing.
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Once we have a foundation, we’ll begin working more deeply toward your goals. This may involve processing past experiences, exploring relationship and attachment patterns, working with the nervous system, developing practical coping skills, or challenging patterns that are no longer serving you. This phase is where we begin turning insight into meaningful change.
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Therapy is not meant to last forever. As you make progress toward your goals, we’ll begin shifting our focus toward integrating what you’ve learned and strengthening your ability to use these tools independently. We’ll reflect on how you’ve grown, identify what you want to carry forward, and thoughtfully plan for ending therapy when it feels appropriate.
Ending therapy isn't about having everything figured out or never struggling again. It’s about reaching a place where you feel more equipped to navigate life, relationships, emotions, and future challenges with the tools and understanding you've developed.