Areas of Expertise.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-informed psychotherapy method developed in1989 by Dr. Francine Shapiro. EMDR is continually recognized worldwide as a highly effective treatment designed to resolve unprocessed trauma held in the body and sustained in memory networks.

This extensively researched treatment allows for symptom relief while "updating memory software" and helps people heal from PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, panic and attachment challenges. In a lifetime, it is difficult to avoid experiencing trauma, whether through direct experience or as an observer. EMDR psychotherapy posits that unprocessed experiences from the past, recent or long ago, influences the present. EMDR can help to reprocess the past which includes beliefs about self and/or the world, sensory material, emotional responses, so that the present and future can be free of these past influences.

I am an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Certified in EMDR and on the faculty at The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy.

If you would like to learn more about EMDR, EMDRIA.org is a great resource.

If you are a licensed clinician interested in EMDR Basic Training, please contact The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy, emdrtherapy.com

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is a form of talk therapy that relies on the body’s innate intelligence to facilitate healing. For example, a client may find themselves intimidated by their supervisor at work. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy interventions may transform a collapsed response to a more empowered one by using the alignment of their body to elicit a different response. Our bodies and minds are not separate and therefore one has an impact on the other.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy has roots in somatic therapies such as the Hakomi Method, neuroscience, body work, and attachment and cognitive therapies. It is particularly effective in working with symptoms of trauma, abuse, attachment, and challenging relationship experiences. Clients can discover the inherently intelligent processes of body and mind to promote healing.

I have successfully completed Level 1, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Trauma, and Level 2, Developmental Injury, an attachment based training, in SP. I have also assisted SP Master Trainers in several Level 1 and Level 2 trainings as therapists, new to SP, learned the method. SP can be used with EMDR.

If you would like to learn more, SensorimotorPsychotherapy.org is a great resource.

Imago Relationship Therapy

Imago Relationship Therapy focuses on building trust in relationships by teaching particular communication skills which can create a feeling of safety, enabling challenging topics to be addressed between a couple or among parents and child(ren), friends, or business relationships. The Imago process ensures that each participant is accountable for their contribution to relational challenges and successes.

Clients have the opportunity to connect more deeply and, perhaps for the first time, expereince emotional safety and intimacy. For example, by using the Imago techniques, couples can move away from blaming each other to understanding each other in a safe space, existing together in a real way rather than trying to be right.

I was trained and Certified in Imago Relationship Therapy over 20 years ago.

If you would like to learn more, imagorelationships.org is a great resource.

Traditional Talk Therapy

There is a place for traditional talk therapy. Talk therapy can help a client gain understanding of their responses or reactions to people and places. The benefits are many in that, for example, coping and boundary-setting skills can be developed. Losses can be processed. Understanding emotional regulation and how our past experiences influence present time can be very useful. Sharing a secret with a trusted therapist can help to heal shame and self loathing. Compassion goes a long way and combined with greater self understanding, significant changes can occur.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis is often referred to as a waking state of awareness and consciousness. Everyday trance states are a part of our common human experience such as enjoying a good book or movie, or being in meditation or prayer.

In therapy, hypnosis is another tool that can be utilized as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan to help a client access internal information, which can facilitate change. Hypnosis can enhance the use of other treatment modalities. Often times, hypnosis can be effective treatment to learn self-regulation skills, moving past blockages.