My Approach to Helping
The clients I work with best are those who have experienced childhood trauma and are ready to heal from the trauma and move forward in their lives. The trauma could be physical, verbal, or sexual abuse, the unexpected death of a parent, a car crash, or any number of seemingly "small" things. Using EMDR allows us to target specific memories that are creating symptoms, and then we can desensitize the triggers, and allow you to create a life where you aren't constantly triggered.
I also work with couples. My experience with individuals and trauma helps inform my work with couples. You may have experienced childhood trauma, or sexual trauma and are now dealing with PTSD-like symptoms showing up in your relationship. Growing up in systems of abuse and neglect can impact adults in their relationships. You might notice that you struggle to trust your partner, that you prefer to avoid conflict with them, that you get very anxious when they show any sign of disappointment. Your partner is hurt and confused by your responses, and you may or may not have given them the whole story. You might not even understand what's happening yourself. These are all expected trauma responses and we can work together to create a safe and healing space within you as an individual as well as within the couple to help feel love, peace, and joy again. It takes work, but the work that we do together can help you be and feel safe again. There is hope for your situation.
More Info About My Practice
I am currently only accepting clients in the state of Arizona.
I offer in-person as well as virtual appointments.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
Due to my work with individuals with PTSD andor childhood trauma, I am especially equipped as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist to work with couples where one or both has experienced childhood abuse, neglect, or sexual trauma. I utilize the concepts and my training to help couples heal from their trauma and stop the cycle. I also specialize in individuals using EMDR to help stop the symptoms of PTSD.
My Therapy Focus
I am trauma-focused in my work. While I have worked with other presenting issues, most often I find that trauma is a root issue. Once the traumatic memory is resolved and released from the body, that allows everything else to fall into place.
The Duration and Frequency of Therapy
For individuals wanting EMDR- I've found that 80-minute sessions bi-weekly can be a good rhythm for many clients. It allows enough time between sessions for things to "settle" and gives enough time in the session to go deep. However, I'm flexible with my session length because each person is unique and we can work with what works best for you and your life.
In my experience, longer sessions are more effective with couples' work. If you are able to do 100-minute sessions (even bi-weekly), we will get much deeper and accomplish so much more than a 50-minute weekly session. It allows the time needed to do the exercises with live input and gives feedback in real-time. It also allows plenty of time for us to practice de-escalation techniques in therapy which are often crucial in order to do the hard work of connecting.
