Psychotherapist in Seattle providing a mind-body approach to living and loving more fully.
206-569-5395
Specialties
I have special interest and/or experience in working with anxiety, developmental trauma & identity, relationship issues, spirituality, parenting, and men's issues. Read more:
Anxiety
Anxiety keys up your nervous system and makes it difficult to rest, connect with others, or simply enjoy experience. In therapy, I help you understand how your nervous system reacts disproportionately to situations and thoughts. We practice ways to calm both the body and mind. We examine how the internal stories you tell are connected to anxiety and how to cope and "expand" using evidence-based techniques. Ultimately, we want to increase your capacity to just "be" in the moment and to do things you value even when anxiety does come up.
Developmental Trauma and Identity
Developmental trauma occurs when as a young person you had to shift focus away from important developmental steps to survive hardship or neglect. These experiences leave an imprint in your nervous system so that you go into states of low or high arousal or dissociation in related situations. I help you understand the effects of developmental trauma and develop new healthier responses to triggering situations. I can also help you explore and reclaim parts of your identity you couldn’t develop due to the trauma.
Relationship Issues
Relationships are where some of our hardest mental health experiences come up. Attachment and developmental trauma make it hard to relate and connect. Times of stress bring up new issues. Yet we are wired for social connections and they offer peak experiences: sense of belonging, sexuality, family purpose, and more. Both individual and couples sessions can support relationship health. I will help you develop awareness of your internal states, stay present, and go for little wins. Let's relate!
Spirituality
Spirituality to me is a connection to something greater than yourself. Ideally, it's a source of inspiration, purpose, and humility and helps make you who you are. However, many of us get cut off from living into our own unique way of being spiritual. Spirituality to me is very personal and sometimes WEIRD. I can help you live in to your spirituality the way it feels right and natural to *you*. It could be prayer, meditation, listening to the trees, or a thousand other things. Ahh, sweet spirit.
Parenting
Whether you are a new parent, an expectant parent, or an experienced parent, it can help to have someone to talk to about the feelings, worries, and struggles parents go through. Drawing on ten years of experience counseling and coaching parents, I can help you cope and adapt to the ever-changing challenges of parenthood. We can clarify your personal values, strengthen your emotional skills, and come to terms with the parenting you experienced so you can become the parent you want to be.
Men's Issues
Due to societal denial of men's emotions and bodies, male-identifying individuals often struggle to understand their feelings and sensations. Although societally normal, this can be seen as a form of developmental trauma that results in disconnection from yourself. In therapy, I help you develop awareness of your body, heart, and mind. Ultimately, therapy aims to help you balance strength with vulnerability and allow you to be more in the present moment in your relationships, work, and life.
