Meagan Pugh, Counselor in Sebastopol, 95472

Meagan Pugh, D.Min., ATR-BC, SEP

Profession(s):
Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, Counseling Psychology
License Status:
I'm a certified professional.
Licensing Info:
Pastoral Counselor, AIWP (Association for Integration of Whole P
Primary License:
Rebistered Art Therapist - Board Certified - ATR #11362/BC # 98-048

My Approach to Helping

In my work with clients I combine the creative arts therapies (art process, movement and sounding) with Trauma Resolution work and the Internal Family Systems Model of therapy. I am experienced in supporting someone's imaginal process as a means to empower him or her to transform issues, pain and life's challenges. You do not need to be an artist (as our culture defines that) in order to use your own imagery for healing. We are all creative beings. On the journey towards wholeness we all meet bumps in the road that serve as opportunities for greater depth and potential. When we work with the totality of experience in our bodies, minds, hearts and souls we can reclaim our true authenticity.

As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, I am trained to work with the body's nervous system in a unique way. Through awareness practices and support, one can retrieve sensations, images, feelings, thoughts and movements that have been trapped in previous traumatic experiences. Once released, this allows a person to clear out the trauma and create new meaning of the events experienced.

I have a developmental approach to healing and believe in a person-centered therapeutic style. I do not lead the process but work together with my clients to achieve their goals. I also educate my clients as to the missing pieces developmentally that will help them retrieve necessary archetypal energies they need to feel a sense of sovereignty over their own experience. I work with individuals, couples and long-term groups.

In addition to my private practice, I teach workshops, and 2-year orofessional training in embodiment practices and somatic art therapy called "The Spiral of Healing" which helps someone develop a new relationship with their body, mind and spirit. In the second year which I call "Moving into Joy" we work specifically with the nervous system to create a sense of spaciousness in order to feel joyous.

I am a Graduate Mentor in the Counseling Psychology, Somatics and Expressive Arts programs at Prescott College. I am also available for short term groups, in-services and workshops as requested.

More Info About My Practice

I believe that when one calls for help on the path, it always arrives. I never let money be a reason not to have the support one needs. My fees are fair and I do have a sliding scale.

Please visit my website and call me if you feel I could help guide you on your path.
Blessings,
Meagan

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I am well versed in working with the after-effects of trauma from a somatic and creative art therapy perspective. I feel confident working with men and women in transition, with relationship or health challenge, and love working with couples.

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

I believe that everyone has the capacity to heal and it is my joy and honor to be able to support growth in another person. As a wounded healer I know the path of healing and have a great deal of empathy and compassion for the journey. Finding connection and unconditional love with self and others is my spiritual path and I feel so grateful to have work that allows me to follow my intuition and heart.

Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist

I think it is important to know who with whom you are going to develop a very intimate relationship. It is important to find out how the therapist cares for themselves, what he or she does for stress relief, or spiritual practice so you know they will try their best not to project onto you and will be more present. You need to sense with your own intuition how safe you feel when you first meet someone. Safety grows and it is also a bit scary at first to open up to a stranger. If you interview someone and they cannot answer your most important questions, then thank them and move on. Together the therapist and client create a field and you need to know that you will be nourished in that field.

How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist

Absolutely. I think of myself as a Wounded Healer who has traveled many of the roads my clients travel and have come through to a spacious and joyful place. Trauma is an opportunity to travel a new path connected to your gifts and talents and with a deep sense of empathy and compassion. Anyone who has healed from trauma knows that we are all the same, no matter what chair we sit in. We are spiritual beings walking a human path which is full of challenges and surprises. When we learn to navigate our lives from a fuller, more spacious place within us we can meet those challenges in an empowered way. This is what my own struggles have taught me and it makes me a better therapist.