Integrated Therapeutic Approach
and other Offerings
Somatic Experiencing® is an approach to healing trauma that utilizes the client's own body awareness. Biophysicist and Psychologist, Peter Levine PhD, developed this method to help restore the natural balance of a healthy functioning nervous system. He found that talk therapy and other techniques fell short when dealing specifically with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and it’s effects upon the nervous system. Higher, analytical functions of the human brain can easily override or dismiss precious information communicated directly from the body, which is often the level at which the most debilitating effects can be found.
This modality is a means to address the effects of trauma directly. By helping individuals become aware of sensations and signals on the physiological level (a.k.a the “soma” or "living body") practitioners are able to guide them through potentially overwhelming feelings of helplessness and loss of control, (the fierce residue of a traumatizing experience), back to a state of wellbeing.
Therapeutic Touchwork has the capacity to effect the nervous system on a profoundly deep level. When used with clear intention, honed skill, and consent from the client, touch can restore resilience, repair early childhood attachment ruptures, and reconnect one with their own internal authority, primarily through learning to communicate and collaborate with the practitioner around their needs and preferences in regard to the touchwork itself. If touch was used unskillfully or abusively in the past, Therapeutic Touchwork creates the possibility of moving through One's conscious and unconscious feelings and strategies around giving or receiving contact in general.
Therapeutic Touchwork can range from energy work that does not necessarily involve touching the client, to more focused structural bodywork, depending on what is needed in any given moment. Modalities drawn from include Somatic Touch, Attachment-oriented Somatic Touch, Cranial Sacral Unwinding, Energywork, Myofascial Release, Lymphatic Drainage, and Targeted Therapeutic Massage.
Clients should dress comfortably, generally in yoga clothes or workout apparel. Sessions may be done sitting or lying down and generally include gentle touch and dialogue, as well as times of silence.
Extensive studies in the field of public health have shed light on the connection between early childhood trauma and the development of disease. In fact many adults with adverse childhood events find themselves with “mystery illnesses,” autoimmune conditions, chemical sensitivities, food intolerances, chronic fatigue, and other complex clusters of symptoms . They don’t understand why their body doesn’t seem to be working as it should, and conventional allopathic medical approaches can often leave one confused and hopeless about how to address it. Navigating the world of holistic health and healing modalities can also be challenging. The sheer amount of information and conflicting perspectives on one's condition can be overwhelming to someone with already record-braking low energy levels. Health & Lifestyle Counseling is aimed at helping individuals orient themselves amidst the oceans of information and determine the most important aspects to focus on for their highly individualized situation. Whether they are struggling with a new diagnosis, have had a chronic illness for years, or simply want to differentiate the hype from the helpful information in the health and healing world, Health & Lifestyle Counseling sessions can be an indispensable and reassuring resource.
for those in relationship
We have the capacity to help regulate or dysregulate our partners and loved ones. Co-regulation training helps clients learn to more accurately interpret the gestures, facial expressions, words, actions and non-actions of those they are close to. This training also creates the potential for clients to gain insight into what they may be unconsciously doing to contribute to feelings of tension in their relationship. Partners will learn how to soothe and connect with each other via attuned touch and other forms of contact. With sincere practice they may find they are finally having a different conversation than the one they are used to having. This training removes the mystique from the realm of unspoken communication in relationship, and gives practical, hands-on guidance that can be applied in any moment to facilitate deeper and more secure connections..
Group Process presents a special opportunity to develop healthier patterns of relating, offer support and be supported, all under the guidance of a trained professional. .Participants may gain insight into familial patterns, enjoy the resonance and co-regulation inherent within the group process, and learn to tap into the invaluable knowledge and wisdom of oneself and one's peers Additionally group members may offer and seek support using a group text/chat option outside of meetings.
Generally, regardless of any specific theme organizing a Group, participants gain tools to rebuild self-esteem and self-worth. They also learn practices for self-regulation, co-regulaion, self-compassion. kindness, and forgiveness. Accountability partners may be requested to assist with any personal goal, These Groups are adapted to serve the ongoing needs and desires of the participants. Contact me if you would like to join or create a Group.
Much of the work available in an in-person session can be modified and adapted for Video Chat and Phone Sessions. This creates the opportunity to be anywhere in the world and receive a somatically oriented session.