Therapeutic Approach
Coming Home To Your True Self
I like to think of my work as remembering who we are before we got hurt. Put another way, we often mistake who we are for who we had to become.
I am a Post Master’s Fellow in the Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM) model of therapy. Admittedly, the acronym doesn’t sound very “fun”, but believe me, the practice itself is full of warmth, love and genuine curiosity. I embarked on this intensive training in 2019 as I wanted to develop the skills to help people resolve issues associated with developmental trauma, also known as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). The grounding of this model has enabled me to support clients with severe trauma histories and persistent anxiety and depression to experience positive shifts they never believed possible.
Every child has core needs that must be met in order to live full adult lives.
Connection
Attunement
Trust
Autonomy
The joining of love & sexuality
The degree to which any of these core needs are not met creates intense internal distress. As children, we cannot change our environment, so we respond to that distress by adapting ourselves, most often through a variety of forms of disconnection. These disconnection patterns result in a wide spectrum of emotional and physical symptoms for which seek relief in therapy. Disconnection patterns carry both profound vulnerability and incredible strength.
In our time together, we will identify and explore both the over and under developed parts of ourselves that shape the behavioral and relational patterns in adult our lives.
As you share about your life, I may invite you to slow down and notice what you are experiencing moment to moment in your thoughts, emotions and in your body. It is in this slowing down that reconnection becomes possible. As we reconnect, we are able to experience blocked emotions and access tremendous life energy, shifting limiting patterns thereby enabling us to live more the lives we want to live.
Gender and Sexuality
I am highly qualified by interest, training and years of experience to support people who are exploring matters related to gender identity and sexual orientation. I have supported people living in a wide variety of romantic and sexual relationship configurations and those seeking a safe place to discuss the impact of past abuse on their current experience of sexuality and gender. While most of my clients identify as queer and/or transgender, I enjoy seeing people from all ages, stages and walks of life.
My primary goal with working with people around gender and sexuality is to help them have a positive and loving relationship with themselves and ultimately with others. This process takes many forms and the pace is unique to each person.
I have supported many people with decision making related to increasing their sense of internal and external gender congruence. I encourage people to take the time to prepare really well emotionally, practically and financially, as those who do tend to enjoy much better outcomes overall.
I am qualified to write letters of support related to medically necessary interventions and prefer to assist clients with whom I have an existing therapeutic relationship.
I have been in a leadership position with the MN Transgender Health Providers Group. This group connects approximately 300 local professionals involved in gender related care. We utilize the platform of this group to consult one another, obtain referrals and keep abreast of changes to insurance policy, state and federal law.
Mindfulness
Below are links to talks given by three teachers whose work resonates with me and that I often share as a resource with my clients to help deepen and reinforce themes commonly arising in therapy.
Whether you decide to work with me or not, may you find them supportive on your path to healing.
Does this sound familiar?
I ruminate endlessly. I have difficulty making decisions, even simple ones. I have a hard time saying, “No”