Offerings
Tauma-Informed Mental Health Counseling & Holistic Wellness
Tauma-Informed Mental Health Counseling & Holistic Wellness
​Brainspotting (BSP)
Brainspotting (BSP) is a specialized brain-based approach founded on the principle that "where you look affects how you feel". It posits that specific eye positions—known as "brainspots"—act as access points to unprocessed trauma and emotional distress stored in the brain.
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Core Neurobiological Concepts
•Subcortical Access: Unlike traditional talk therapy that engages the neocortex (the analytical "thinking brain"), Brainspotting targets the subcortical brain. This region, which includes the limbic system and brainstem, is where "implicit" or non-verbal traumatic memories are often stored and where survival responses (fight-flight-freeze) originate.
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•The Superior Colliculi Connection: A primary hypothesis is that fixing the gaze on a brainspot recruits the superior colliculi in the midbrain. These structures are critical for orienting toward external stimuli; by focusing on a specific spot, the brain stops scanning for external threats and begins an "internal self-scan" to process stored imbalances.
•Bottom-Up Processing: Brainspotting uses a "bottom-up" approach, meaning it allows information to travel from the deeper, reflexive parts of the brain up to the conscious mind for integration, rather than trying to use logic to change feelings (top-down).
•Dual Attunement: The neuroscience of BSP also emphasizes the relational frame. The safe, mindful presence of the therapist helps regulate the client’s nervous system, allowing the brain to feel secure enough to "unstick" and reprocess traumatic energy.
•Neuroplasticity and Homeostasis: By accessing these deep neural networks, BSP aims to trigger the brain's innate ability to reorganize itself (neuroplasticity) and return to a state of internal balance (homeostasis).
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is an accelerated psychodynamic treatment developed by Dr. Habib Davanloo to rapidly resolve emotional disorders by addressing unconscious conflicts. Unlike traditional "talk therapy," ISTDP is active and focuses on experiencing deep emotions in the present moment rather than just understanding them intellectually.
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ISTDP has a robust evidence base supporting its efficacy across a variety of conditions: ​
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Treatment-Resistant Conditions: ISTDP is particularly effective for treatment-resistant depression and personality disorders that have not responded to other therapies.
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Somatic and Medically Unexplained Symptoms: It is an established treatment for "Functional Somatic Disorders," including chronic pain, tension-type headaches, and gastrointestinal disorders.
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Anxiety and Personality Disorders: Meta-analyses show large effect sizes in general psychopathology reduction, with improvements often continuing even after therapy ends.
​​​​Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
Core Principles for Trauma Treatment
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Undoing Aloneness: AEDP posits that trauma stems not just from the event itself, but from being left alone with overwhelming emotions. The therapist acts as an active, supportive presence to ensure the client never feels alone while revisiting painful memories.
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Focus on the "Here-and-Now": Instead of just narrating the past, therapists guide clients to notice present-tense bodily sensations and emotions as they arise in the session.
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The Change Triangle: This tool helps clients identify when they are using defenses (avoidance) or inhibitory emotions (shame/anxiety) to block core emotions (fear/grief/anger).
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Metaprocessing: A unique AEDP technique where the therapist and client process the experience of the session itself (e.g., "What is it like to share this with me right now?") to solidify new, positive neural pathways.
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Positive Neuroplasticity: By emphasizing moments of joy, relief, and resilience during therapy, AEDP aims to rewire the brain to prioritize healing over survival-based trauma responses.
Holistic Wellness Practices
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Yoga and meditations are mindfulness practices that connect us to our bodies and internal world. Mindfulness and deep focus inward helps us to become aware of the organism that we are. We are a self-healing body that seeks the connection to be nurtured and restored back to health as our authentic selves. Through noticing our body, we come in contact with our needs and genetic wisdom for healing and transformation. We meet all parts of ourselves and our heart expands.
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Breathwork (Pranayam) helps to regulate the nervous system and to reconnect with our life source of breath. We always have access to this amazing self-sustaining energy that anchors us to our bodies in the here and now.
Healing Roots
My counseling approach integrates, emotion focused, somatic, brain-based, and spiritual modalities. My work is heavily informed by Brainspotting, Experiential Dynamic Therapies based on attachment theories like ISTDP, and AEDP, Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, Yoga, Parts and Ancestral work.​​​ Depending on your unique needs and therapeutic goals, I draw from my background to provide you with the care you need. Those with complex wounds from childhood may need more time to work through layers. While others with situational and acute trauma may find symptom relief more quickly. Every(body) is different and I will meet you wherever you are. ​I am here to hold space for you, to be fully present for your healing experience and to attune with your being so that your nervous system can return to homeostasis and your body can heal and restore itself.​​
Rates
Individual Sessions​
In-person | Telehealth | English | Español
50 min | $140 (Credit | HSA | FSA) | $125 (Cash)
Couples: 50 min | $150 | $135 (Cash)
Life happens and sometimes we need to move things around, so please communicate your needs as soon as possible. No-shows and cancelations less than 24 hours before your session, will be charged the full amount.
I do not accept insurance as I am an out-of-network (OON) provider. By privately paying for services, you are in control of your mental health care: the type of care you receive, the duration, and the frequency.​
