How I work

I am here to provide you with professional, non-judgmental support as you explore areas of your life that are causing you pain. It is my belief that we all possess and inner wisdom that can guide us to what is true and right for ourselves. I'm passionate about helping the people I work with access this inner knowing to uncover and embrace their best self. 

To do this, I utilize a variety of modalities and frameworks including:

• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Mindfulness

• Experiential Therapy

• Psychodymamic Therapy

• Somatic experiencing

• Sound healing to support nervous system regulation

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

my specialties

Anxiety and Depression Counseling

We all feel unhappy at times.  Feeling sad, is a natural part of life and isn’t necessarily a sign that you should call a therapist.  When these feelings are severe or prolonged, and you feel they are interfering with your daily life, your relationships, and sense of well-being, it’s likely time to reach out for help.  Some of the symptoms you may be experiencing include:

• A loss of interest in everyday activities

• Chronic fatigue

• Feelings of hopelessness

• Changes in appetite, sleep, or sexual desire

• Problems with concentration and memory

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Suicidal thoughts

• Excessive self-blame

Like sadness, some anxiety is natural and even helpful.  Anxiety warns you when a potential danger or threat is near by.  Chronic anxiety can be debilitating and prevent you from living the life you want when the fear becomes so generalized you no longer know what it is you're afraid of.  Together we will explore the origins of your anxiety and learn healthy ways of coping with stress.  Some of the symptoms you may be experiencing include:

• Restlessness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Excessive worry

• Chronic fatigue

• Sleeplessness

• Stomach and digestion issues

• Muscle tension

• Migraines

Narcissistic and Antagonistic Personality Abuse Recovery

Narcissistic and antagonistic abuse recovery is a deeply personal and often challenging journey towards healing from the psychological and emotional wounds inflicted by others with these difficult personality styles. If you have found yourself in a challenging relationship with a parent, partner, friend, boss, or co-worker of this type, I can help you process, heal from, and ultimately accept the truth of your experience.

Here's a breakdown of what this work typically involves:

1. Acknowledgment and Understanding: The first step in recovery is recognizing that you've been in an abusive or antagonistic relationship. This involves understanding the dynamics of emotional and psychological abuse, which often include manipulation, gaslighting, emotional blackmail, and exploitation.

2. Education and Awareness: Learning about challenging behaviors often displayed by these personality types helps victims make sense of their experiences. It also validates their feelings and experiences, helping them realize they are not alone and that the abuse was not their fault.

3. Setting Boundaries and/or Acceptance of Reality: Establishing and maintaining boundaries is crucial in recovery. This may involve limiting or cutting off contact with the difficult person, as well as setting boundaries with enabling individuals in your life.

4. Self-Care and Healing: Self-care activities such as therapy, meditation, journaling, exercise, and spending time with supportive friends and family members can help victims rebuild their self-esteem and regain a sense of control.

5. Processing Trauma: Narcissistic and antagonistic relationship abuse can cause significant trauma, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Therapy, particularly modalities like, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), can help victims process and heal from this trauma.

6. Rebuilding Self-Esteem: Victims are often left feeling worthless, inadequate, and unworthy of love. Rebuilding self-esteem involves challenging negative self-beliefs, practicing self-compassion, and focusing on personal growth and self-improvement.

7. Reconnecting with Identity and Values: People with antagonistic and narcissistic personality styles often undermine their victims' sense of identity and autonomy. Recovery involves rediscovering who you are, what you value, and what brings you joy and fulfillment in life.

8. Forgiveness and Letting Go: Forgiveness is not about excusing the abuser's behavior but about releasing the hold they have over your emotions and moving forward with your life. It's also about letting go of any lingering anger and resentment that may be holding you back.

9. Building Healthy Relationships: As victims of this type of abuse heal, they often find themselves drawn to healthier, more fulfilling relationships based on mutual respect, empathy, and support.

10. Continued Growth and Maintenance: Recovery from antagonistic and narcissistic abuse is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection, self-care, and boundary maintenance. It's essential to continue nurturing your emotional well-being and seeking support when needed.

Overall, narcissistic and antagonistic personality abuse recovery is about reclaiming your power, rebuilding your life, and creating a future filled with love, joy, and authenticity. It's a challenging journey, but one that ultimately leads to greater self-awareness, resilience, and inner peace.

Family Estrangement

Recovering from family estrangement can be a challenging and complex process, but it's definitely possible. Every person and family dynamic is unique, so together we will explore how the family system, differing personalities, and individual experiences may have lead you to the decision to go low-contact or no-contact with family members. Working with me will help you to uncover and process difficult emotions and events, rather than suppressing them. Together we will find the best strategies and coping mechanisms that resonate with you and support your healing journey.

Grief and Mourning Support

When after heavy rain the storm clouds disperse, is it not that they’ve wept themselves clear to the end? –Ghalib

Grief is the heart’s very natural response to loss. Although grief is universal, the experience of grief is very personal and your experience may be very different from anyone else’s. Each person experiences grief in their own way which may leave you feeling that the vulnerability, hopelessness, and emptiness you are experiencing cannot be understood by another. Creating a safe place for grief requires a willingness to let go of any expectations of the grief process and other’s beliefs about how and how long you should grieve. This loss is yours. This pain is yours. The healing journey is also yours. Although these are all true, please know that you don’t need to navigate this difficult path on your own. Oftentimes well-meaning and supportive loved ones will try to “fix” your pain, which although well-intentioned, can leave us feeling even more alone and misunderstood. It is important that the people you count on for support allow you to authentically express your feelings of loss and hurt.

It takes courage and grace to grieve the loss of someone or something important to you and your willingness to mourn with someone who can support you in a healthy and helpful way will slowly allow you to acknowledge, integrate, and accept the truth of your loss. This process takes time but it will eventually lead you to a place where your tender heart can open and allow more space for life, joy, and peace.

 I support those experiencing grief as a result of the following:

·      The death of a loved one

·      Child-loss, miscarriage, stillbirth

·      Suicide survivors

·      Divorce

·      Terminal illness diagnosis

·      Chronic illness diagnosis

Life Transitions Counseling

Change is difficult even when we are adjusting to something that feels positive like marriage, birth of a child, or a new job. Although positive change is something we typically look forward to, it is often accompanied by stress. Other changes such as career change, job loss, a move to a new home, or facing an empty nest can feel beyond our control and be difficult to cope with. It may be time to speak with me if the tranisition you are facing is causing:

• Trouble with sleep

• Feelings of depression or anxiety

• Changes in your eating habits

• Drug or alcohol abuse