Attending therapy is healthy and I cannot tell you how often I hear people say in a first session, “I’ve wanted to talk to someone for so long, but I kept thinking I could deal with it myself” or “I promise I’m not crazy!” Please know that therapy is designed to help everyone and even very high-functioning individuals attend. In fact, many therapists have therapists of our own to help us manage stress and avoid burnout. You are in good company!
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Texas and Washington and I am passionate about helping people reconnect with their authentic selves. Although we are all unique, our authentic selves share some of the same qualities- they are strong, powerful, and have SO much inner wisdom that wants to be accessed! Many things can get in the way of us having a strong connection with our deepest truths. Oftentimes, these include traumatic experiences, misguided (or abusive) behavior on behalf of our primary caregivers when we are children, ideas of obligation or how we “should” behave, and people-pleasing tendencies. And there are so many more ways we learn to forget who we are!
If you find yourself feeling drained, unfulfilled, resentful, easily affected by external events, unable to honor (or even identify) your boundaries, or just soul tired, and you’d like to explore new ways of thinking and living your life in a way that honors and uplifts you, we would probably be a good fit.
My orientation is eclectic- I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (a staple in mental health professions), hypnotherapy, motivational interviewing, and the Trauma Resiliency Model. I have also personally done quite a bit of shadow work following my own experiences with trauma. My clients often tell me that they feel seen, understood, and accepted by me and this allows them to be open and brave.
My sessions are not formulaic or sterile- I prefer to connect on a human level with a goal of helping you connect to your inner knowing. I do not view myself as an expert within our relationship- YOU are the expert on your life and it is my goal to help you come home to yourself.
Education
M.A., Psychology with Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
Phillips Graduate Institute, May 2009
B.A., Psychology
California State University Bakersfield, June 2007
Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy with Honors
Hypnosis Motivation Institute, July 2015
Certifications from the American Hypnosis Association
Hypnosis and ADD/ADHD, March 2015
Hypnosis and Childbirth, July 2015
Hypnosis and Pain Management, June 2016
Hypnosis and PTSD, March 2015
Hypnosis and Smoking Cessation, April 2015
Hypnosis and Sports Performance, May 2015
Hypnosis and Weight Loss, June 2017
Past Life Regression, June 2015
Pre and Post Surgery Hypnosis, May 2016
Therapeutic Imagery Master, January 2015
Other Certifications
Reiki Level One, April 2015, Reiki Master Tanya Nord
Reiki Level Two, May 2016, Reiki Master Katt Lowe