Therapist Profile

My Approach to Helping

Somatic Psychotherapy: Because we do more than talk! Sometimes, you need more than words! Most of our very early experiences, the ones that shape our character and personality, that form the template for how we will engage others, are non-verbal. We don't learn to speak until much later! In order to transform at this deep level you must go beyond words and into the body. "It's amazing to me how one session of body-centered, mindful therapy with you provided more transformation than years of talk therapy and cognitive work. Thank you!" Donna "Thank you so much for all your help! We have been to many therapists over the years, and it wasn't until you helped us come back to our bodies that we finally found the healing we truly needed. You helped us save our marriage!" Carolyn and Dave "I found your caring, compassionate, and amazingly present energy to be the most powerful aspect of our work together. You made me feel safe, respected, and powerful!" Roger

More Info About My Practice

What is Somatic Psychology? Somatic Psychology (body mind psychotherapy, body-oriented psychotherapy, etc.) is a holistic form of therapy that respects and utilizes the powerful connection between body, mind and spirit. How we are in this world, how we relate to ourselves and others, is not just purely about the mind or our thoughts, but is also deeply rooted in our bodies and our spirits. Somatic Psychology has a long and rich history and is primarily derived from the theories and practices of Wilhelm Reich, a psychoanalyst and student of Sigmund Freud. Since that time, it has been influenced by existential, humanistic and gestalt psychology, dance, movement and art therapy, family and systems theory, biology, neurology, and Far Eastern philosophy and spirituality. Individuals seek this form of treatment for similar reasons they might look to more traditional talk therapy, to address stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and sexuality issues, grief and loss, addictions, trauma including abuse recovery, as well as more purely medical reasons including pain, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Somatic Psychotherapy includes many different techniques that can be utilized depending on the specific needs of each client. Such interventions can include developing mindfulness and awareness of ones physical presence using relaxation and meditative techniques; movement in order to promote a deeper physical awareness and to expand ones capacity to feel and express emotions; breathing techniques to increase awareness of and improve functioning of the breath.