"Trauma is the chronic disruption of connectedness." --Dr. Stephen Porges

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So many of us struggle to feel connected to ourselves, others, and the world around us, often as the result of trauma, but healing from trauma requires particularly sensitive and skilled care. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a research-based therapy that helps get emotional memories unstuck, gently shifting trauma-based beliefs about ourselves and the world into more adaptive perspectives. EMDR can help not only with major traumatic events such as abuse and assault but also "little traumas" that left us with negative beliefs about ourselves or other people.  Instead of being defined by our pain, we can authentically integrate those experiences within our life story. Often, a felt sense of safety must be cultivated before trauma can be processed; somatic practices and nervous system regulation can be especially helpful to create that foundation of safety. 

 

I specialize in trauma-informed, body-centered therapy with a particular focus on complex developmental trauma. I have extensive experience working with survivors of physical, sexual, emotional, and spiritual abuse, emotional neglect, incest, rape, and assault, as well as people who have experienced medical crisis, chronic illness, infertility, accidents, natural disasters, and generational trauma. I work with many veterans and first responders. I have been certified with EMDRIA as an EMDR-therapist since 2014 and am also a member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. 

 

Additional specialized training includes somatic modalities, resilience-informed trauma therapy, working with male survivors of sexual abuse, EMDR for addiction, EMDR for spiritual trauma, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) for EMDR clinicians. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and hold a certification in Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery (both with Dr. Arielle Schwartz). I have additional training in applied polyvagal theory with Deb Dana and am also trained in the Flash Technique, which reduces the intensity of highly disturbing memories.