My Approach to Helping
I offer Solution-Focused Somatic Psychotherapy (body-centered psychotherapy) and career coaching. I am non-judgmental and supportive. I don't have an agenda for my clients but guide them in tapping into their inner resources. I believe one can only live a fulfilling life if one is connected to one's own true self. I bring in creative perspectives. I move my clients out of a problem-stance into a solution-stance. I help couples resolve intimacy and communication issues for more fulfilling relationships. I also work a lot with children and students on performance issues and social problems. I also work a lot with engineer and managersleaders in Silicon Valley organizations.
Emotions connected with traumatic experiences are held in the body and only by including the body in the treatment, fundamental change can occur. I draw mostly from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Bioenergetic Analysis, Analytic Somatic Therapy, Reichian Therapy, Object Relations, Systemic Therapy. Jungian Dreamwork and Gestalt Therapy.
Between 1998 and 2002, I trained in Brief Therapy with Paul Watzlawick, Richard Fisch and others at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, CA. Between 2002 and 2005, I trained in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy with Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in Milwaukee, WI. I completed a 4-year training Analytic Somatic TherapyBioenergetic Analysis with John Conger in Berkeley, CA. I am certified in Systemic Therapy and Analytic Somatic Therapy.
More Info About My Practice
I created a program called Working with the Emotional Body
An Introduction into Analytic Somatic Therapy? and the Bioenergetic Perspective
with Monika Broecker, MFTi
A program consisting of 6 individual introductory sessions
Are you interested in experiencing Analytic Somatic Therapy and understanding how emotions are held in the body and what you can do to experience more joy and aliveness? I am offering a program, consisting of 6 individual introductory sessions, in which we will apply the 6 foundations of Analytic Somatic Therapy: Grounding, Breath, Boundaries, Range of Emotion, Intentional Presence and Energy.
Analytic Somatic Therapy (AST) was developed by Somatic Psychologist Dr. John Conger. We will start with an initial interview and a body reading. In each session, we will address your current and past struggles as well as your goals for the future, using a combination of psycho-education, talk therapy as well as hands-on somatic exercises and practices to work with the emotional body.
In the somatic exercises, we will explore the SEANIC sequence: Sensation, Emotional Attitude, Narrative, Image and Contradiction.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
Having had a long-term career in Learning and Leadership Development and having been a career coach for many years, I specialize in career counseling and coaching. I built and led Google's People Management Development and Google's School of Personal Growth. I help people who work in companies such as Google, linkedin, Apple and eBay to reduce their stress at work. I also specialize in working with emotions, including anger management, and social anxiety.
My Role as a Therapist
I listen well to my clients and provide a holding environment. I bring in new perspectives and keep my clients focused on creating a fulfilling life and a successful career. I facilitate constructive dialog and intimacy with couples. I help students stay focused and perform in school.
My Therapy Focus
I work with individuals seeking therapy that addresses their whole being: body, mind, emotions and spirit. I work with couples on intimacy and communication issues.
Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work
I use body-centered approaches mostly based on Bioenergetics and Analytic Somatic Therapy. I particularly work with the six foundations of Analytic Somatic Therapy which are boundaries, grounding, breath, range of emotion, intentional presence and energy.
I am also a systemic therapist, which helps me unlock rigid dynamics in couples and families. Solution-focused and problem-solving approaches guide my approach. Mindfulness and Meditation as well as Buddhist practices inform my work.
