A Mind-Body Approach

In addition to traditional talk therapy modalities, I incorporate “bottom-up” (mind-body) strategies that focus on the interplay between the body, emotions, and mind.

I enjoy educating clients about the role of the nervous system in emotional and behavioral responses, and I incorporate embodied techniques into therapy when appropriate and desired. This approach is particularly helpful for people who experience thoughts, behaviors, or emotions that they have not been able to change through logical thought or intentional action. I have specific training in:

Applied Polyvagal Theory helps people understand how their autonomic nervous system drives emotional regulation, trauma responses, and social engagement. By understanding the subconscious detection of safety and danger, people can better manage their triggers, decrease reactivity, and respond to situations with intention.

Somatic Experiencing (SE) focuses on resolving trauma and chronic stress stored in the body. SE helps people improve body awareness and uses the nervous system's own resources to gently restore stability, improve emotional regulation, and decrease overall distress.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) uses gentle tapping on specific body points to desensitize the system to distressing thoughts. Research has found that EFT improves biological markers of stress, including resting heart rate and blood pressure.