What makes lasting change?
One answer is to heal the disconnect between body and mind.
Talk therapy is an important aspect of healing, but it can get us only so far. Often, we can spend years “talking” about what has happened to us without really addressing the root of the problem: the fact that our body, not our mind remembers our past wounds and traumas. I use a variety of methods drawn from what is known as somatic psychotherapy. You can read a more detailed explanation of this kind of therapy, and the research that has led to several specific types of somatic therapies on my Resources page.
It is often the things that are NOT said during the therapy hour that are most important. I look for gestures, facial expressions, postures, eye movements, and repetitive motions. These give me valuable windows into the unconscious body where there might be negative energy stored that we can gently release.
We will work with the wisdom of the body.
During my years in private practice, I have come to recognize my deep interest and talents in working with complex trauma. I am deeply committed to providing a warm, safe, comfortable space for you to identify what you are feeling or not feeling, and how this may be manifesting as other issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm behaviors, dissociation or just an inability to make decisions or move forward at the pace that feels right to you. I also love working with teens and adolescents, and I draw from 20 years of experience in the counseling and educational fields.
I earned my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Alaska Pacific University in 1998. I also have a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education. I worked at the high school and community college levels for two decades before entering private practice.
Over the last five years my studies have included:
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
- Structural Integration
- Attachment Theory
- Polyvagal Theory
- Ego State Theory
My fee is $145 per 60-minute session. A 90-minute session is $215. At this time, I do not participate in any insurance panels. I can, however, provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement for me as an “out-of-network” provider.
You should, of course, call your insurance company to verify your coverage. There are a few insurance companies that I am willing to bill directly out of network, depending on your benefits. This detail is something we will discuss beforehand.
Using any insurance coverage means that I will be required to provide your company with a DSM V clinical diagnosis, and that they may ask for limited information regarding your progress in therapy. The idea of this makes some people uncomfortable. I find that understandable. I also don’t necessarily think it’s a reason to avoid using insurance. It is important, however, to be informed and comfortable with your choice.