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In 2020, after leaving my clinical physical therapy practice,
I chose to go back to graduate school to get my PhD in Depth Psychology and Archetypal Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute.
My doctoral education in Jungian and Archetypal psychology in addition to Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training allows me to bring a wide variety of personal and professional experiences and perspectives to the experiences that are concerning you.
Regardless of why you are considering 1-1 work together, I can help you find a rich and deeper connection to the creative life within and help you re-member your personal strengths that are a reflection of the more meaningful quality of life you have been seeking.
My Approach
PATTERN
A large part of the work that I do involves the intuitive tracing of patterns.
These patterns can present themselves in many different forms such as sensations, images, movements, emotions, language/stories, and/or energetic patterns.
We track these patterns as they are symbolic of a deeper self organizing/regulating function of the psyche, even if the patterns perceivably feel symptomatic or pathologic.
One of Carl Jung's most influential ideas was his sophistication of the term archetypes, which are the primordial images that dwell deep within the unconscious of every human being.
These archetypal patterns are understood as universal symbols of psychic reality.
An archetype is a pattern that determines human experience (whether on a conscious or an unconscious level) and makes itself felt as something both vital and holy.
“Psychologically, however, the archetype as an image of instinct is a spiritual goal toward which the whole nature of man strives (Jung, 1960: 212).
STRUCTURE
Whereas the patterns that we are tracing are the forms of the self regulating or ordering function of psyche, structures are the physical manifestations of those patterns.
Examples of structures can look like physical, somatic, and/or psychological symptoms such as, intrusive images, body tics or OCD impulses, emotional flooding, abusive relationships, nightmares, and many more.
By using the structures as doorways we are able to see into the deeper patterns that influence our physical everyday life.
By following the structural manifestations in your life, we can trace the deep meaning inherent in these patterns.
PROCESS
Much of the work we will do involves learning to trust the process of weaving between pattern and structure. Since process is the link between pattern and structure, we want to add consciousness to the patterns and structures that often run unconsciously.
If trauma has been prevalent throughout your life, the patterns and structures around that trauma can create negative feedback loops that keep you distanced from the true essence of who you are and who you are meant to be in this world.
In trauma, the highest value is survival and by consciously weaving between pattern and structure, we can creatively develop a deeper relationship to those survival patterns; then, we see the process begins to influence the creation of new patterns and eventually new structures that are a deeper reflection of the true essence of who you truly are.
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Areas of Focus
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a body-oriented therapeutic model applied in multiple professions and professional settings—psychotherapy, medicine, coaching, teaching, and physical therapy—for healing trauma and other stress disorders.
The Somatic Experiencing approach facilitates the completion of self-protective motor responses and the release of thwarted survival energy bound in the body, thus addressing the root cause of trauma symptoms. This is approached by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions, thereby improving the capacity for self regulation.
The Somatic Experiencing method works to release this stored energy and turn off this threat alarm that causes severe dysregulation and dissociation.
SE helps people understand this body response to trauma and work through a “body first” bottom up approach to healing.
The SE approach releases traumatic shock, which is key to transforming PTSD and the wounds of emotional and early developmental attachment trauma.
It offers a framework to assess where a person is “stuck” in the fight, flight or freeze responses and provides clinical tools to resolve these fixated physiological states.
It is based on a multidisciplinary intersection of physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics and has been clinically applied for more than four decades.
Dream Tending
Although sometimes we don't remember our dreams, dreaming is a universal experience.
The more we pay attention to our dreams, the more we begin to remember them.
Clients find that working with dreams increases their conscious awareness of themselves.
As we review your dreams together in session, we will slowly reflect on the images and their meaning for you. In this way, we will create a dialogue between the conscious and the unconscious parts of your personality that allows new images and ideas to arise within you.
This is valuable material that will guide and assist your healing process.
Jung felt that although the dream spoke in images, it showed the psyche as it is.
For Jung, the dream is a picture of the psychological situation of the individual in his waking state.
Jung called complexes the “architects” of dreams—we could say that the dream is the world of our complexes walking around in dramatic images. The dream helps us see what our complexes look like by giving us representations in the way of images, motifs and themes that portray these emotional centers of energy, alive within us, but not necessarily known to us consciously.
Jung believed that the dream compensates, or balances, the point of view of the ego when it becomes too one-sided or out of balance, allowing the individual to make adjustments in their ways of perception. In Jungian dream work, images from dreams are examined closely and repeatedly until their meaning begins to unfold.
Jung thought of the symbols in dreams as “transformers of energy” that opened up new paths in the psyche.
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Why do we focus so intensely on our problems?
What draws us to them?
Why are they so attractive?
They have the magnet power of love: somehow we desire our problems; we are in love with them much as we want to get rid of them . . .
Problems sustain us -- maybe that's why they don't go away.
What would a life be without them?
Completely tranquilized and loveless . . .
There is a secret love hiding in each problem.
-James Hillman
Depression
It’s often hard to seek help when we need it the most, and this is especially true when we experience the loss of energy that accompanies depression. When feelings of sadness won’t go away, it’s helpful to have an experienced guide to reduce distress. We will begin by focusing on practical steps to relieve some of the heaviness that accompanies depression. Together, we will look at how the past continues to influence the present and explore the relationships, losses or situations that contribute to your depression. Through this process, you will discover a new sense of self as well as renewed energy.
Anxiety
The fast pace of today’s world creates anxiety for many of us. When insecurities and fears become pervasive, or turn into anxiety attacks or phobias, it’s time to consider seeking help.
Anxiety has a physiological aspect, and through Somatic Experiencing work we can help increase your capacity in the body for sensation as well as reduce your symptoms as we uncover the feelings that are causing them.
(For instance, anxiety can be rooted in a drive towards perfection or in feelings of insecurity.)
Together, we will work toward understanding the meaning of your anxiety and building your sense of inner calm.
Grief and Loss
A significant loss may cause not only sadness, but also a confusing mixture of anger, fear, remorse and guilt, making the process of letting go even more difficult. In addition to the loss of a loved one, life experiences such as chronic illness, disability, divorce, or unwanted life transitions can bring about feelings of grief. We are often encouraged to “get on” with life instead of moving through the mourning process at our own pace. Our work will give you the space and time you need to fully experience your loss, transform unmanageable feelings and gain a sense of comfort and healing.
Work and Career
Work can be emotionally sustaining, but it can also rob us of energy. Doing the work we were meant for can make a crucial difference in our lives. Are you uncertain as to whether your job or career is right for you? Perhaps you are struggling with a work relationship or are unable to strike a healthy balance between work and your personal life. Our work together can focus on finding a relationship to work that is in alignment with your core self.
Transitions
Like all stages of life, life transitions have their own particular challenges. You may feel lost as you let go of familiar roles such as parenting, or find that former notions of success feel empty.
Transitions are also a time of facing limits, a potential source of anxiety and depression.
Through our work, you can re-evaluate and explore life choices in order to make the most of this important stage.
As we reexamine your values, we will create opportunities to redefine what is really important to you, and in doing so, redefine yourself.
Eating/Exercise Disorders
In eating disorders, food becomes symbolic of much more than simple physical nurturance; a struggle between your body and food shows that you are no longer in tune with your emotional needs.
You may be deeply anxious, but also alienated from this and other feelings.
In our work, you will learn to listen to your body as well as your emotions.
Our container will become a safe place to explore various aspects of your inner life.
In doing so, you can regain your body awareness and a healthy relationship to food & exercise.
You will learn to care for yourself as a whole person—body, spirit and emotional life—and heal the division within yourself.
Relationships
You and/or your partner may seek help because your relationship is in crisis; or because one or both of you has identified a stumbling block in your relationship; or because you both want to strengthen your relationship.
If necessary, we will first focus on the steps needed to establish stability within the relational container.
Next, we will explore the unconscious patterns operating in your relationship and how each partner contributes their own set of struggles, beliefs, and complexes.
As you learn to be responsible for your own needs, building skills such as empathic listening, dispute resolution and meaningful connection, your relationship can become stronger and more intimate.
1-1 Sliding Scale
My 1-1 sessions operate on a sliding scale ranging from $125-$175.
I have a few slots for those who can’t afford the low end of the scale, please feel free to inquire.
Consider paying less on the scale if you:
*are supporting children or have other dependents
*have significant debt
*have medical expenses not covered by insurance
*receive public assistance
*have immigration-related expenses
*are an elder with limited financial support
*are an unpaid community organizer
*are a returning citizen who has been denied work due to incarceration history
Consider paying more on the scale if you:
*own the home you live in
*have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money
*travel recreationally
*have access to family money and resources in times of need
*work part time by choice
*have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education, even if you are not currently exercising your earning power.
The scale is intended to be a map, inviting each of us to take inventory of our financial resources and look deeper at our levels of privilege and to exercise autonomy and choice in this investment process.
It is a way to challenge the materialistic society we live in and work towards economic justice on a local level.
While I ask you to take these factors into consideration, please don’t stress about it. Pay what feels right.
Any and all questions of this map can be discussed on our free discovery call before beginning sessions together.