Holistically oriented counseling
I provide holistic counseling to adults of diverse backgrounds. I am an engaged empathic listener. I see myself as a guide working with you collaboratively to focus on healing and empowerment. I believe in the innate ability of each individual to heal, grow, and thrive. I blend extensive training in four different modalities in my counseling work: deep compassionate listening (NVC), meditation, Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), and developmental and relational trauma therapy (DART). I am currently engaged in a 1 year intensive Organic Intelligence coaching certificate training. Organic Intelligence has a focus on helping to promote empowerment, resiliency and compassion. The process works in part through understanding how our biology naturally wants to heal and by learning to tune in to and respond to naturally occurring healing instincts.
Compassionate Communication (NVC)
Nonviolent communication (NVC) was created by psychologist Marshal Rosenberg, a student of Carl Rogers. NVC is a form of compassionate communication that helps facilitate authentic heart-centered dialogue in relationships of all kinds. The reflective listening that I use in session is rooted in several years of intensive study of Nonviolent Communication. I can teach foundational concepts of NVC in therapy helping you to gain clarity and skill in better understanding and expressing your feelings, values, and needs.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
I began meditating in 2004 and appreciate the awareness, growth, and self-compassion that meditation has helped instill in me. Early in my meditation practice I noticed that I was more available for my young daughter, more patient and accepting towards both myself and others. In 2015 I completed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher training at UMASS medical school qualifying me to teach MBSR. I worked as a mindfulness consultant at Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma and have researched and specialize in teaching meditation practices to people coping with anxiety and/or a history of trauma. From 2015-20 I led a weekly meditation group in Spanish. In counseling sessions I facilitate a variety of different meditation practices and can help clients to develop their own meditation practice.
Tapas Acupressure Technique
Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) involves the person receiving the TAT session gently placing both hands over acupuncture pressure points on their head or crossed over the heart center while listening to a series of statements. The TAT hand positions promotes a state of relaxation, allowing the suggestions for healing to be taken in on a deep level. Emotional and mental shifts take place with a sense of ease, enabling users to resolve phobias, chronic anxiety and panic, traumatic memories, unresolved grief, sleep issues with emotional roots, and other deep-seated emotional blocks.
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I am a certified TAT practitioner.
Hand positions for healing with TAT
Family of Origin Healing
I offer Healing Our Core Issue Institute's Developmental and Relational Trauma Therapy/DART which is an in-depth family of origin healing approach with an experiential component. The foundation of DART is Pia Melody's pioneering work in healing from the effects of dysfunctional family dynamics. Developmental and Relational Trauma Therapy helps people to become aware of dysfunctional family patterns and to become conscious of the roles, attitudes, and ways of being that were adopted to cope with dysfunctional dynamics. The DART process stays away from blaming caregivers while also acknowledging unmet childhood needs and their effect on the child and on the individual in present day.
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Flower Essences
I have been working with Flower essences for over twenty-five years. Flower essences can help with a wide range of issues, including grief, anger, learning disabilities, anxiety, worry, trauma, depression, and creative blocks. A flower essence blend is usually taken for a 4 week period. During a therapy session, I can recommend a flower essences to help support healing, insight, and transformation. Time and time again I have seen tremendous growth, emotional support and relief stimulated by taking flower essences.
