Mindful Psychotherapy
Mindful Psychotherapy
developing the art of living in the here & now
About the Evolution of my Particular Approach to Psychotherapy:
I have trained in approaches that align with my desire to work with the “whole” person which includes mind, body and spirit as well as family, culture and community. I look to the understandings that come out of Neuroscience and Evolutionary Psychology to guide my approach. My interest in understanding all aspects of being human -how the body, mind and emotions work together within a bio-psycho-social context - led me to blend a unique collection of therapeutic techniques including Mindfulness Based Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and Somatic Experiencing.
Tapping into the Innate Drive toward Health and Wellness:
It is with our full conscious engagement that the personal and unique dynamics of your struggles or problems will become clear. When we work together we can create the space necessary for the mind, body and heart to begin a healing process. We all have an innate and natural drive toward healing and wholeness that we can tap into and it is this very innate and natural process that allows us to work through the things that feel like blocks to personal wellness, wholeness and happiness.
Respecting and Understanding the Mind-Body Connection:
In 2004, I injured my back and my ability to function and take care of day to day tasks was greatly diminished. Learning to adjust and cope with pain and serious physical limitations taught me about the fragility as well as the resilience of the body. I discovered that the way I thought about and related to my physical condition impacted my mental as well as physical health. In particular, I remember becoming quite depressed when I temporarily convinced myself that I would never be able to be athletic and physically active in the ways I had come to love and rely upon. Eventually I started the rehabilitation process and then I became motivated to try Pilates and by 2007, I was a certified Pilates Instructor. I utilize this experience and my training in Pilates as a way to integrate and support a greater body-mind connection. Eventually, this interest in the mind-body connection deepened further and led me to integrate somatic therapy into my work with clients. To further develop my capacity to listen and speak the language of the body, I am an SEP (Somatic Experiencing Practitioner) having completed the three year training program in Somatic Experiencing as developed by Peter Levine.