Meredith Alger,AM, LCSW, EMDR-C, IFS L1 Trained, Safe & Sound Provider, PEL School SW

Hello and welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois, and I’m so glad you’re here! I am Somatic and Attachment Focused (SAFE) EMDR-Certified integrated therapist, with a School Social Worker PEL, though currently work with schools as a Consultant.

I come into therapy with a central focus on compassion, connection, and safety. I am a Polyvagal Informed and Neurophysiology and neurofeedback, biofeedback, and tools for healing the point of (mal)adaptive patterned Nervous System because it is under these conditions that we find we can think at our best. It also means we learn as we are calm and safe, so we aren't on constant hypervigilance. When we build a safe space, clients begin to understand that the healing they desperately seek, is within them... Coaches and therapists may guide them or facilitate a path through motivational interviewing, and then teach mindfulness to allow observation by separating from the experience of whatever we're holding onto. Polyvagal theory explains an evolved Nervous System, which goes beyond the Default Mode Network, to include the Social Engagement System. Not only does it help explain what may be going on as challenging and overwhelming emotions come up. It allows ways to move through them.

We practice; we use PVT informed tools that are integrated deeply, and allow for the process to move at the pace of the slowest part of the system of each client. Many other therapies are involved than the ones I mention, because, for example, we use mindfulness to notice our patterns that may have once saved us, now cause more harm. We use CBT, as we learn about Cognitive Distortions, and often ACT, values and action oriented, and often DBT, daily tools for emotion regulation.

I am the founder of Liminal Horizons, PLLC. I am also a leader at Sensing Fields. One is primarily for psychotherapy, supervision, Consultations for school systems and Communities (and individuals), and finally agree in significant challenges stemming from Survival Patterns. We use Somatic Parts Work, IFS, Clinical Emotional Freedom Technique, Neuropsychotherapy, and neurophysiology, including neuro and biofeedback for uses such as enhancing the depth and speed of the healing. Polyvagal Inspired Protocols are two of the options clients offer, the Safe and Sound Protocol and the Integrated Listening System (there is an extra charge to use a license). They are actively being researched, and show amazing results so far, from helping build a wider window of tolerance.

If it feels like we ALL need healing, you are intuitive! To succeed, a global movement must occur. WE ARE NOT THERE, and THIS doesn't mean it's your responsibility. My goal and mission is to ensure access to those who want to understand their strong feelings, health problems, emotional and physical pain (which show up in the same part of the brain) can do so. Anyone who is ready to feel better, lower emotional 'triggers' and physical pain, want to feel less stressed, and more gratitude and joy, YOU ARE In The RIGHT PLACE. Mental Health involves so many more factors than we realized, until very recently. I promise that you can heal. I have been through a vey low bottom, and I have healed. There's more to go; it's a journey. I am honored to share things I've learned and am excited about 'ripple effects' of healing individuals and then communities, and onward and upward.