A little bit of self-disclosure - years and years ago, as I was preparing to graduate college, I called my mom, really upset. I said, “Mom, I don’t know what I am good at.” She replied, “You’re good with people.” At the time, I wasn’t sure what that meant, but now it all makes sense. I am passionate about working with people. More than that, I am honored to support and witness the healing journeys people take.
My Approach:
As a therapist, one of the greatest struggles I’ve observed is when clients’ thoughts about themselves are different than their feelings about themselves. For instance, someone might say something like, “I know I’m loveable, but I feel like no one will ever care about me,” or “I know it is not my fault, but I feel so guilty and ashamed.” My greatest intention is to help clients overcome adverse experiences to bring harmony and congruence to what is known in the mind with what is felt in the body.
My approach to therapy is person-centered, eclectic, and holistic. I have had training in psychodynamic theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Level 1 Internal Family Systems (IFS). I am also greatly informed by humanistic approaches to therapy. However, I recognize that therapy is more than just a collection of therapeutic approaches. It is also about building partnership and alliance with the person sitting across from me. In that way, I am also informed by the stories and experiences of the people I work with, and tailor my approach to the unique needs of each client who chooses me.
Why Women:
While I have had the privilege of working with and learning from diverse populations for over 10 years, my practice focuses on women who are overwhelmed, in a rut and exploring their life’s purpose. I understand the unique challenges we face as women impact our ability to be our most authentic selves, and can prevent us from having the lives we want.
These challenges include reconciling our need to be heard with our fear of taking up too much space; existing in a society that judges us by the sizes and shapes of our bodies, the color of our skin, our hairstyles, and the sound of our voices; overcoming thoughts that say, “I am an imposter”; and managing the effects of our adverse experiences while carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders.
What I Believe:
Fundamentally, I believe you are the expert of your life. My role is to hold curiosity without judgment and set intentional space for you to discover your inner truths. I welcome your challenges and vulnerabilities and am rooting for your success. Together, we will discover how your thoughts, feelings and experiences create meaning in your life so you can begin to change your circumstances for the better. I also believe:
You are the most powerful healer in your life. My role is to act as a catalyst for the healing that is already alive within you.
Laughter and tears are medicine.
Trauma is an adverse experience, or collection of adverse experiences, that is stored and felt in the body and negatively impacts you in the here and now. Therefore, I cannot define what trauma is for you.
You deserve to achieve your goals and have the life you desire.
Your emotions aren’t too much or too big. Maybe the containers for your feelings have been too small.
Greater awareness of your inner world gives you greater choice for how to interact with the outer world.
Healing in an ongoing, wondrous process with many levels. It is not a destination.
P.S: A little bit more about me - I’m a Sangoma, or an initiated traditional healer of a Southern African lineage. This has led me to have a deep appreciation and connection to nature, and an ongoing desire to understand the spiritual nature of the world we live in. I look forward creating more offerings related to spiritual healing technologies in the future. I also love all things pop culture (and may bring up a reference during sessions from time to time), and find joy in a good healthy laugh. And, I have written a collection of poetry and essays, called I See Her…, which captures the beautiful and deeply resonant experiences of women.
