After working with hundreds of clients over the course of a decade plus (and also doing my own personal work along this journey), I have found certain methods and frameworks that resonate the most with my clients and with me as a therapist. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is one of those profoundly transformative models. Additionally, I also have a variety of training in many modalities that are rooted in the burgeoning field of neuroscience and take into account the importance of tending to the whole brain and the whole body in the healing process—not just thoughts and emotions. Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Community Resiliency Model (CRM), and Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP) are just a few models that fall into this category.

IFS is an elegant, intuitive, deeply spiritual model—although there is no need to hold any particular set of religious beliefs to find benefit from this approach. Through the lens of IFS, we can look at the parts of ourselves that might be showing up with self-destructive or self-deprecating beliefs or patterns. And in the therapy process, we carve out time and space for the healing of these parts, with the intention of beginning to change these patterns, these beliefs, and to truly help set these parts free. And setting these parts free allows space within ourselves to come home, if you will, to who we were meant to be—the best, most empowered, most brilliant version of ourselves.

And the various body-based (somatic) frameworks I draw from each take into account the neurobiology and energetic impact of stress and trauma. Using a non-judgmental, non-stigmatizing, science-based approach, these models explain what is happening in various parts of the brain and body when they are under stress and give practical tools to help re-regulate the nervous system and provide a greater sense of well-being, peace, and resilience in the body. In a culture that often elevates the value of the mind above all else, we are so often detached from and numb to our bodies’ experience. And without integration of physiology into the healing process, we risk foregoing lasting, whole-person healing.

IFS and somatic approaches blend together beautifully and can provide a solid platform to do powerful personal work.

I believe another facet of healing and wholeness has to do with getting a broad and honest assessment of your holistic health—your social supports, your spirituality, your hobbies, your physical health (exercise, nutrition, medical conditions), your creative outlets, including even what music you are listening to these days. (I may even have some suggestions for some soul-filling tunes as a part of your therapy recommendations!) I am a FIRM believer that music—and creativity and the arts in general—can be a profound part of self-nourishment, self-discovery, and the healing process. (Click on the music tab to read more about the music geek side of my life.) Office-based therapy can be a huge part of self-care, although it works best in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle patterns that reinforce the transformative work you are doing in session.

In addition to over 13 years of experience in the mental health field, here is a short list of just a few of the formal trainings I’ve received:
Internal Family Systems (Level 1)
Trauma Resiliency Model (Level 1 & 2)
Somatic Experiencing (Beginning I & II)
Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (Level 1–Fundamentals)
Somato Respiratory Integration–12 Stages of Healing
Interpersonal Therapy for Depression
Motivational Interviewing
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Community Resiliency Model
Coaching and Mentoring Certification Training
Seeking Safety Psychotherapy Model
Caring For Children of Veterans Training (Military Child Education Coalition)
Veterans Integrated Post-Combat Care Training

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Licensed Clinical Social Worker for North Carolina—License #C006849 (NCSWCLB)