Specialty Areas



 

Trauma
It is important to remember that a "trauma" is intensely personal and can be a big "T" (i.e., assault, accident, natural disaster) or a small "t" (i.e., childhood events, feeling shamed, relationship issue, chronic illness) with similar impact on one's ability to move through and beyond it.  

At the time of a traumatic event, strong emotions interfere with our ability to completely process the experience.  Impressions of the trauma get stored in our nervous system through defense mechanisms we use to cope with emotional pain.  As a result, we are blocked from learning new ways of seeing the situation, and will re-experience the symptoms of the initial trauma when stressful events trigger us in the present.   Thus, we can get trapped in recurring anxiety, depression, phobias, panic attacks and the like.

Fortunately, effective modalities such as EMDR have been developed to more quickly and less painfully link the memory of trauma with present- oriented, adaptive information and can be used to enhance more traditional psychotherapeutic approaches to reduce the negative consequences of a traumatic experience.


Grief and Loss
Loss takes many forms, from the death of a loved one, death of a pet, the ending of a relationship or job, or physical disability, and requires acknowledgement and processing - the act of grieving.  There is no right or wrong way to grieve, but sometimes we can get "stuck" and need a helping hand to understand what is happening and how to find peace.  I am open to and respectful of your belief system and committed to helping you find what will support and sustain you.


Anxiety, Fears, & Phobias
We all experience some degree of anxiety, fear, or phobia that interferes with quality of life, accomplishing goals or taking care of ourselves.

Examples of issues that can be addressed are: fear of public speaking, heights, flying, water/swimming, "creepy-crawlers",  test anxiety, social anxiety, or avoiding the dentist. These feelings may be the result of a one-time experience or more complex, long-term causes.  In either case, the use of EFT or EMDR can most often provide rapid, long-term relief.


Childhood Trauma
Because young children don't have the coping skills that are developed as they grow up, a wide variety of experiences can have lasting traumatic effects.  The child's reaction might be immediate or delayed and show as, for example:  changes in behavior or mood; inability to concentrate; sleep disturbances and night terrors; and bed wetting.

I work with parents and child to identify and clear the trauma.  For more information regarding EMDRs effectiveness in treating children, I recommend Small Wonders:  Healing Childhood Trauma with EMDR by behavioral pediatrician Joan Lovett, MD.


Family Therapy
My goal is to help each family member explore how to contribute to the whole while being appreciated as an individual.

As families grow and change, we may find that what used to work doesn't anymore.  Being able to identify and communicate new needs and expectations as children grow up becomes invaluable to maintaining or re-gaining desired parent-child relationships.  

I have extensive experience in parent coaching that encourages creative and respectful discipline that balances structure (rules, limits) with nurturing (praise, having fun).


Addiction Recovery Support
Having 18 years of recovery has shown me that "living life on life's terms" is a challenge that goes far beyond putting down the drug of choice.  Getting sober allows the pain-filled beliefs about ourselves and the world to surface.  

I honor your commitment to sobriety and want to support the on-going healing of old wounds.  With the combined use of EMDR, energy psychology techniques and non- judgmental exploration, you can heal the past and live in a meaningful present.