My Approach to Helping
The type of therapy that I do is called Somatic Psychotherapy, and it actively and respectfully engages the body in the healing process. Working through the body encourages the practice of mindfulness -- observing, without judgment, what is happening in your body and mind in the present moment; and it encourages the art of awareness -- developing a sense of your internal experience and external actions. Body-therapy methods also include movement and education, and are a powerful and integrative way to work with self-limiting beliefs and the often-debilitating effects of trauma.
My work is firmly rooted in the belief that all parts of our body, mind, and spirit, as well as our relations with self, others, and all life -- are deeply connected. I honor our wholeness rather than the notion that we are broken and need to be "fixed". I believe the sense of purpose that gives meaning to one's life has the potential to be awakened and nurtured as we support the integration of these parts.
A key component to my work is building physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual resources: actions, awareness, and abilities that support maintaining a sense of self and a feeling of competency, regardless what is occurring in the environment. The therapy is focused on what is needed in the next unfolding step of the healing process, not on what is not working.
My intention is to serve your therapeutic goals. It is a collaborative process to clarify and refine what will become the focus of our time together. I work sensitively and interactively with the therapeutic relationship to develop trust, confidence, and courage so that we can deeply explore the issues that brought you here. I encourage personal practices (homework) to allow the work to take root in daily life.