About Me

Background

I am a trauma specialist, as well as a body-based therapist. This means that I work just as closely with the symptoms and reactions in the body as I do with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I work closely with mindfulness and Eastern perspectives, and I employ specialized and unconventional approaches that result in immediate positive outcomes. 

I received both my Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California, a program immersed in the traditions of post-Jungian, depth psychology. In this approach, therapist and client gently explore feelings, dreams, unconscious processes and motivations, and connect with the wisdom of the psyche. 

As a trauma specialist, I utilize protocols such as Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, Somatic Resilience and Regulation, and clinical hypnotherapy in order to resolve and heal trauma reactions. Read more about each protocol on their respective page. By becoming aware of our patterns, reactions, and activations, we can understand the motivation beneath them and create change. Our life experiences are etched into our memories, often causing us to be reactive. These reactions to past events cause individuals to remain stuck, preventing the nervous system from returning to balance and regulation. I help clients communicate with symptoms through the integration of depth psychotherapy, body awareness, mindfulness, and other protocols that restore balance, congruence, and release stored traumatic energy.

My specialty in trauma, body-centered psychotherapy, and the unconscious process, along with my diverse training and experience in Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, Somatic Resilience and Regulation all offer a unique perspective that is powerful and healing, and meets the needs of individuals seeking healing, resolution, and a deeper understanding of their experiences. My approach to healing is an integrative one. Because every person is unique, so must be the approach.  Because clients learn these methods through our work together, they take these skills with them throughout life.

Personal

Having always lived and worked in this area, I feel very connected to this community. Before moving into my current field, I was a part of the Valley fitness culture for the better part of 25 years, teaching group fitness classes and working as a personal trainer. I coached soccer and softball, worked at crisis hotlines and community counseling centers, family medical clinics, as well as in substance abuse.  Having raised my children and navigated through the difficulties and successes of divorce, remarriage, and blended families, I bring a diverse and panoramic view of life experiences to my practice with individuals, couples, and families through the integration of psychotherapy, somatic (body-based) approaches, and how unconscious processes allows us to better understand ourselves and how we interact with others.