Therapeutic Modalities
My education and training are deeply-rooted in both relational psychodynamic thought and evidence-based and trauma-informed interventions, such as EMDR. Each client is different, and it is important that I get to know you as an individual to craft our work together. I approach our work in a relational and psychodynamic way, and also utilize EMDR and other trauma-informed interventions, as needed, to supplement our talk therapy.
Psychodynamic Pyshcotherapy
What it is:
Relational psychodynamic (or psychoanalytic) therapy is a type of talk therapy that balances my facilitating a warm, safe, and supportive therapeutic relationship with helping you to get to know yourself on a deep level. Together, we aim to co-create a safe place, over time, to explore your inner world, past experiences, and unconscious patterns. It is less about quick relief; It is a deep approach that gets to the root of emotional and relational struggles, leading to long-lasting changes.
How it works:
In relational psychodynamic therapy, we will explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences - anything that comes up, as it comes up. We may explore the past to heal the present. I pay close attention to what you have to say, eventually getting to know you and your patterns. Over time, we co-create a safe, open, and honest relationship where you can experience unconditional support, understand yourself better, undo unhelpful patterns, and ultimately feel more connected to yourself and others. There is no script, and no “right” way to do this - and I will be there with you every step of the way. I will help you to slow down, notice deeper feelings, and connect dots you may not have been able to see on your own. Growing in self awareness leads to big changes, over time.
Who it is for:
Those wanting meaningful long term growth and change, not quick symptom relief. It is for those struggling with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, struggling with relationship issues, major life changes, and other personal difficulties. If you are curious about your own inner world, and want to make big changes in the long-term, psychodynamic therapy may be for you.
EMDR
What it is:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that helps people to recover from and integrate trauma and challenging life experiences. It is most famous for helping people with PTSD or CPTSD, but can help with other issues like anxiety, grief, and internalized oppression.
How it works:
First, we will get to know one another and assess if you are a good candidate for EMDR. Sometimes clients are experiencing heightened nervous system dysregulation (high levels of anxiety or dissociation), and to safely do EMDR, we will need to do nervous system regulating practices (known as “resourcing”) for a period of time. When it is time to begin reprocessing phase, I will guide you in thinking about a painful memory while at the same time doing something that gets both the right and left hemispheres of your brain working (like looking back and forth or tapping your left and right hands alternating). This “dual attention process” helps your brain reprocess the memory. What this means is that, over time, the memory loses the emotional charge and will feel more in the past, not like it’s happening right now.
EMDR is for:
EMDR is for many different clients. Classically, it is for those who have experienced a traumatic event or series of traumatic events. It is also for those who have anxiety, depression, phobias, and panic attacks.
EMDR might not be for:
People in active crisis, experiencing psychosis or severe dissociation, or someone who doesn’t feel emotionally safe or ready to bring up difficult memories.
Therapy that is:
Trauma trained and trauma-informed
Anti-racist
Devoted to decolonization and liberation
LBGTQIA+ affirming
Neurodivergent supportive
Health at Every Size supportive
Accessible
“Pain is important: how we evade it, how we succumb to it, how we deal with it, how we transcend it.”
― Audre Lorde
