Strength through understanding.

I have extensive training in Narrative Therapy, which is a strength-based, nonjudgemental approach to psychotherapy.  Narrative therapy moves away from pathology and jargon and resists identifying people as their problems. Instead, when using a narrative lens we identify unique preferences, skills, and strengths. We use those values, skills and strengths to navigate challenges and rewrite internalized stories that no longer serve us. Most importantly, this approach centers you as the expert on you!

I am trained in Somatic Experiencing, which is a gentle, bottom-up approach that supports regulation of the nervous system. Somatic Experiencing can be used to increase resilience to stress, strengthen the ability to tolerate discomfort, and increase the capacity to actively engage in life! Somatic Experiencing gets curious about fight, flight, freeze responses as well as felt experiences of safety and security, which is relevant across ages and life experiences. 

Hand in Hand Parenting is a gentle parenting approach that guides much of my work with parents and children. The Hand in Hand model offers five Parenting by Connection Tools that can help children feel heard and empowered while helping parents feel more at ease navigating their child’s feelings (especially the big ones!) and needs. I share Hand in Hand tools with parents in several formats including individually/as a couple, in conjunction with child therapy, and/or in a group format. I invite you to contact me or visit Hand in Hand’s Website to learn more about the approach and five tools for connection.

For children, play is incorporated within these modalities as talking for 50 minutes can be exhausting! The play may be imaginary, child-led, focused on the sensory experience, art-based, or as simple as a game of cards while talking.